Chinese companies invested 28.04 billion U.S. dollars into firms in the United States in 2023, when measured on a historical-cost basis. The total foreign direct investments in the U.S. were valued at approximately 5.39 trillion U.S. dollars in that year. Sino-American relations FDI flows are even higher from the United States into China than the flows in this statistic. In addition to FDI, the countries are linked by billions of U.S. dollars in trade value, much of which includes integrated supply chains which see intermediate products shipped back and forth before a final product goes to consumers. This close economic relationship does not imply a political partnership, however. In fact, the countries engaged in what most analysts consider a trade war starting in 2018. China’s other options China is expanding its Belt and Road Initiative, producing infrastructure investments abroad in different parts of Asia. However, these outflows do not yet reach the values seen in this statistic, partly due to the smaller size of the target economies. Still, the majority of net overseas direct investment from China goes to Asia. This measure is slightly different because it does not give the total volume of investments, but it underscores the importance of regional ties to Chinese investors.

The graph shows Chinese cash flows and capital stocks of direct investments in the United States in 2024, by sector. That year, Chinese investments in the U.S. manufacturing industry resulted in a cash flow of around *** billion U.S. dollars and a capital stock of around **** billion U.S. dollars.

This statistic shows the direct investment position of the United States in China from 2000 to 2023, on a historical-cost basis. In 2023, the U.S. investments made in China were valued at 126.91 billion U.S. dollars. Direct investment position of the United States - additional information Foreign direct investment (FDI), simply put, is an investment of one company into another company located in a different country. It differs from a traditional way of investing into shares of foreign companies listed on a stock exchange. The companies which make foreign direct investment usually own a part of the company in which they invest and they have influence on the decision making process. In the United States, FDI is defined as an American investor (called the U.S. parent) owning a minimum of 10 percent of a foreign firm (known as a foreign affiliate). The total direct position of the United States abroad amounted to 6.68 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. Although the phenomenon profits greatly from the technological advances of the 21st century, as well as from the cultural flexibility of today’s workforce, FDI has a long history, going back to the colonial empires. Not without critics, FDI is generally believed to bring advantages to the investing company, such as access to new markets and decreased costs of labor, materials and production facilities. The local economy can benefit from an infusion of capital, access to new technologies and engagement of native labor pool. There are three recognized types of foreign direct investment, namely horizontal FDI, platform FDI and vertical FDI, along with various methods of implementing the investment itself. FDI considered by many one of the motors of worldwide economic growth. U.S. foreign investment abroad has seen a dramatic growth in the past decades. Multinational American corporations, especially focused on manufacturing, have largely invested in facilities overseas, due to financial benefits. However, a large share of these corporations focuses toward not only supplying the U.S. market, but also the local markets in which they operate. In 2020, the country that received the largest amount of U.S. foreign investment was the United Kingdom, with a little over one trillion U.S. dollars, followed by the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Overall, the total amount of U.S. dollars invested in European states in 2021 reached 3.98 trillion U.S. dollars compared to 2.25 trillion U.S. dollars a decade prior.

China Outward Investment: Latin America: Ecuador data was reported at 100.400 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 16.800 USD mn for 2022. China Outward Investment: Latin America: Ecuador data is updated yearly, averaging 16.800 USD mn from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2023, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 470.600 USD mn in 2013 and a record low of -131.100 USD mn in 2017. China Outward Investment: Latin America: Ecuador data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Commerce. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Investment – Table CN.OB: Outward Direct Investment: by Country.

Foreign Direct Investment in China increased by 507 USD Hundred Million in August of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - China Foreign Direct Investment - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

China Outward Investment: Latin America: Mexico data was reported at 1.079 USD bn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 488.520 USD mn for 2022. China Outward Investment: Latin America: Mexico data is updated yearly, averaging 49.730 USD mn from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2023, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.079 USD bn in 2023 and a record low of -6.276 USD mn in 2015. China Outward Investment: Latin America: Mexico data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Commerce. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Investment – Table CN.OB: Outward Direct Investment: by Country.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to analyze China’s trade and investment relations with Latin America, especially with Brazil and MERCOSUR in the context of the international economic crisis. In a scenario in which commodity prices appear to remain low, the region increases its dependence on China. Thus, the Chinese take advantage to advance on the economies of the region, increasing reprimarization of the economies of these countries.

This statistic depicts the volume of foreign direct investments (FDI) from China to the United States between 2014 and 2024. In 2024, about **** billion U.S. dollars worth of direct investments from China had been made in the United States.

This paper investigates the effects of United States sanctions on Chinese public and private overseas foreign direct investment (FDI). Using data for up to 112 developing countries from 2005-2015, we find that Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are more likely to invest in countries threatened or targeted with U.S. sanctions relative to Chinese privately-owned enterprises (POEs) because they have the Chinese government’s backing and are larger in number and size, motivating them to invest in higher-risk states. The Chinese government also reaps political benefits by Chinese SOEs investing abroad, enhancing China’s economic strength and decreasing its rivals’ influence. We also obtain similar results for Chinese SOEs and POEs regardless of the investment sector and conduct additional robustness checks that further reinforce the main findings. Our study provides insights into how China’s overseas FDI increases its economic and political reach across the globe at the possible expense of the U.S.

China Outward Investment: Latin America: Paraguay data was reported at 0.950 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of -1.290 USD mn for 2022. China Outward Investment: Latin America: Paraguay data is updated yearly, averaging 0.950 USD mn from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2023, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.830 USD mn in 2010 and a record low of -1.290 USD mn in 2022. China Outward Investment: Latin America: Paraguay data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Commerce. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Investment – Table CN.OB: Outward Direct Investment: by Country.

China Outward Investment: Latin America: British Virgin Islands data was reported at 2.546 USD bn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.116 USD bn for 2022. China Outward Investment: Latin America: British Virgin Islands data is updated yearly, averaging 3.222 USD bn from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2023, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.301 USD bn in 2017 and a record low of 209.680 USD mn in 2003. China Outward Investment: Latin America: British Virgin Islands data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Commerce. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.OB: Outward Direct Investment: by Country.

Building on the growing debate on political determinants of foreign direct investment, we investigate the relationship between U.S. political influence and the global distribution of China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). Using country-level and firm-level datasets of China's greenfield investment, we find strong evidence that Chinese state controlled firms strategically reduce investment in host countries under significant political influence of the United States. Our results are robust to alternative specification and two falsification tests. The findings suggest that the Chinese government uses FDI as a way of economic diplomacy.

Replication data for article examine British public reactions to Chinese Government strategic communications. The dataset contains five experimental treatments representing different types of communication from China (4 treatments) and one rom the United States. The dependent variable represents UK public support for Chinese investment in the UK's civilian nuclear infrastructure. Alongside the experimental treatments there are variables that represent individual perceptions about China a) China is a threat and b) China is important for the UK economy. The data also contains demographic variables on age and gender.

This statistic shows the capital stock of Chinese foreign direct investments (FDI) in Latin America from 2014 to 2024. In 2024, China's FDI capital stock in Latin American countries amounted to around ****** billion U.S. dollars.

Description

This dataset provides monthly economic indicators examining the relationship between US protectionist trade policies and Chinese economic growth from May 2022 to May 2025. The dataset can be used for academic research, statistical analysis, and educational purposes in international economics and trade policy studies.

Context

The dataset captures the economic dynamics during a period of heightened trade tensions between the United States and China. It includes comprehensive indicators of US protectionist measures and their potential impact on various dimensions of Chinese economic performance.

Dataset Structure

Time Period: May 2022 - May 2025 Frequency: Monthly Total Observations: 1127 Total Variables: 14

Column Descriptions

Date

• Type: Categorical (YYYY-MM format)
• Description: Month and year of observation

US Protectionism Indicators

US_Tariff_Index

• Type: Continuous
• Range: 100-120
• Description: Tariff rate index where 100 represents the baseline. Higher values indicate increased protectionist measures.

US_Trade_Restrictions

• Type: Discrete
• Range: 5-15
• Description: Number of new trade restrictions implemented per month, including tariffs, quotas, and non-tariff barriers.

US_AntiDumping_Cases

• Type: Discrete
• Range: 0-12
• Description: Number of anti-dumping cases filed against Chinese products per month.

US_Trade_Policy_Uncertainty

-Type: Continuous - Range: 90-160 - Description: Index measuring uncertainty in trade policy (0-200 scale). Higher values indicate greater uncertainty.

Chinese Growth Indicators

China_GDP_Growth_YoY

• Type: Continuous
• Unit: Percentage (%)
• Range: 3.5-5.5%
• Description: Year-over-year GDP growth rate for China.

China_Industrial_Production_YoY

• Type: Continuous
• Unit: Percentage (%)
• Range: 2.5-5.0%
• Description: Year-over-year change in industrial production output.

China_Exports_Growth_YoY

• Type: Continuous
• Unit: Percentage (%)
• Range: 0-15%
• Description: Year-over-year growth rate of Chinese exports.

China_Manufacturing_PMI

• Type: Continuous
• Range: 47-52
• Description: Purchasing Managers' Index for manufacturing sector. Values >50 indicate expansion, <50 indicate contraction.

China_FDI_Inflow_USD_Billion

• Type: Continuous
• Unit: Billion USD
• Range: 7-15
• Description: Monthly foreign direct investment inflows into China.

Bilateral Trade Indicators

US_China_Trade_Volume_USD_Billion

• Type: Continuous
• Unit: Billion USD
• Range: 40-60
• Description: Total monthly bilateral trade volume between US and China.

US_Trade_Deficit_China_USD_Billion

• Type: Continuous
• Unit: Billion USD
• Range: -32 to -24
• Description: US trade deficit with China. Negative values indicate deficit.

Additional Economic Indicators

USD_CNY_Exchange_Rate

• Type: Continuous
• Range: 6.7-7.3
• Description: Exchange rate expressing yuan per US dollar.

China_Stock_Index

• Type: Continuous
• Range: 2,800-3,500
• Description: Shanghai Composite Stock Index (normalized).

ABSTRACT This paper aims to analyze the recent changes in economic relations between Latin American countries and China in the context of the transformations occurred in the latter’s development strategy after the global financial crisis. The text argues that, in relation to the first decade of the twenty-first century, connections linked to FDI, financing flows, and infrastructure projects have been growing in importance and present new challenges to Latin America, which surpass the ones based only on trade flows.

This statistic shows the cash flow of Chinese foreign direct investments (FDI) to the United States from 2013 to 2024. In 2024, about *** billion U.S. dollars were directed from China to the United States, a significant decrease from almost ** billion U.S. dollars in 2016.

Key information about China Foreign Direct Investment

• China Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 8.5 USD bn in Sep 2025, compared with an increase of 17.4 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• China Foreign Direct Investment: USD mn net flows data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1998 to Sep 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 107.2 USD bn in Mar 2022 and a record low of -15.0 USD bn in Jun 2024.

• In the latest reports of China, Current Account recorded a surplus of 195.6 USD bn in Sep 2025.
• China Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 39.9 USD bn in Sep 2025.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 8.3 USD bn in Jun 2025.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 4,953.4 USD bn in Sep 2025.

The data uploaded here consists of summaries of the findings of four small-scale questionnaire surveys undertaken in Addis Ababa and Kampala. These questionnaires were intended to explore the local effects of specific Chinese investments in urban infrastructure, specifically in the form of transport infrastructure and industrial parks. There were two questionnaires undertaken in Addis Ababa (on the effects of the new Light Rail Transit system on a particular neighbourhood, and on aspects of working/living conditions in a Chinese Industrial Park) and two in Kampala (on the usage of the new Kampala-Entebbe Expressway and on its consequences for a neighbourhood along the route). Being small in scale, these surveys are not intended for statistical analysis but to provide some basic indicative information relating to the Chinese-financed projects noted above. They questionnaires were used to inform and complement a range of semi-structured interviews.
Please note therefore that the data uploaded comprises only a small proportion of the overall data collected, most of which was qualitative and took the form of semi-structured interviews. See below for more detail on the data collected and why most of it is not possible to upload. If interested in discussing this data, please contact the PI.

Much of the African continent is currently undergoing an 'urban revolution': societies that until recently have been overwhelmingly rural and agriculture-based are inexorably, and often rapidly, urbanising. This has profound implications for African states and societies, especially given the limited economic base of many cities on the continent. It is also throwing up new challenges for traditional aid donors such as the World Bank, Britain and the US, who have long been inclined to focus much of their effort on rural poverty. Meanwhile, the increased engagement between emerging global powers and countries on the African continent has attracted widespread attention in recent years, particularly with respect to the role of China as an aid donor, investor and source of migrants. Some have talked of a 'new scramble for Africa' akin to that of the arrival of the European powers in the late nineteenth century, and debates about whether this is ultimately good or bad for Africans are ongoing. While there is a large and growing body of research on Chinese engagement in Africa, and considerable scholarship focusing on African urban growth patterns and urban development prospects, there is very little research exploring the interrelationship between these two trends. The urban dimension of Chinese engagement is a key issue, however, particularly as (unlike many Western donors) China has no objection to funding major urban infrastructure and construction projects and has developed a number of Special Economic Zones on the fringes of African cities. This project therefore aims to address critical gaps in existing research. It will do so by researching direct and indirect impacts of Chinese engagement in the two strategically-selected African states of Ethiopia and Uganda, with particular attention to the 'core' cities of Addis Ababa and Kampala respectively. It will also explore how interactions between Chinese agencies, other emerging powers investing in Africa, 'traditional' donors and African governments are shaping the way urban development challenges and opportunities are understood and acted upon. The research will be pursued through exploring three critical issues: the governance of urban land, particularly with respect to Chinese approaches to leasing land to finance urban development; major urban infrastructure projects and their impacts on low-income groups; and efforts to create mass industrial and service sector employment. A range of methods will be employed to build a rich picture of the impacts of Chinese urban engagement in each case, including interviews with African municipal and national governments, international donors, investors, and Chinese migrant business people; small-scale surveys and focus groups with urban communities; gathering background quantitative data; analysing policy documents and tracing ideas and discourses across international documentary material and policy fora; and undertaking co-productive urban site analysis with a range of international actors. I will undertake an institutional visit to the Lincoln Institute Centre for Urban Development and Land Policy at Peking University (PKU) as part of the research programme, liaise with institutional partners in the two research countries, and convene three workshops in strategic locations across the two-year project. As well as the academic community, the research will be of interest to local and national governments in African states, international policy makers (including a range of UN organisations), multilateral and bilateral aid donors, and development NGOs. The strategies for achieving impact are detailed in the Impact Summary and Pathways to Impact.

China Outward Investment: Latin America: Barbados data was reported at 47.700 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of -175.010 USD mn for 2022. China Outward Investment: Latin America: Barbados data is updated yearly, averaging 0.820 USD mn from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2023, with 17 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 223.710 USD mn in 2021 and a record low of -175.010 USD mn in 2022. China Outward Investment: Latin America: Barbados data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Commerce. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Investment – Table CN.OB: Outward Direct Investment: by Country.