Foreign investment in US reaches $232.2 billion in 2025

International investors spent $232.2 billion acquiring or expanding businesses in the United States last year, a 49.5 percent increase from 2024, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Wednesday. The figure ended four consecutive years of declines. Employment at the newly acquired or expanded foreign-owned businesses reached 213,100 jobs.

Publishing industries received the largest share at $50.7 billion, followed by chemicals manufacturing at $45.4 billion and plastics and rubber products manufacturing at $19 billion. Manufacturing overall accounted for $121.8 billion. Japan-based companies led country-level investment with $50.5 billion.

Germany and Canada followed with $26.7 billion and $23.5 billion. European investors as a group contributed $116.6 billion. By state, California received $59.7 billion, Texas $21.5 billion, and Pennsylvania $20.9 billion.

A bank economist told The Post that part of the increase reflected companies seeking to reduce exposure to tariffs. The same economist noted that a weaker U.S. dollar throughout much of 2025 created favorable exchange rates for foreign buyers. The Bureau of Economic Analysis said its survey respondents remain confidential by law, so specific deals driving the totals are not identified.