As the world becomes increasingly complex geopolitically, the methods used to manage international capital inflows into the United States will need to evolve to ensure those inflows continue to support U.S. economic competitiveness over the long term. While the Administration has an open investment policy welcoming stable foreign investment, there are also risks associated with certain types of foreign investments. This could potentially harm the collective safety and technological sovereignty of the United States.
Stability through federal agency oversight
Inter-agency committees have been instrumental in evaluating foreign investment transactions and identifying potential vulnerabilities while promoting legitimate business development for several decades. To further modernize their approach and improve administrative efficiency, the U.S. Government is looking to improve its due diligence processes.
In addition to improving its due diligence processes, the U.S. Department of the Treasury recently announced that it would be soliciting public comments on expanding and refining the known-investor framework as part of a broader effort to improve transparency and predictability in the global investment marketplace.
This announcement was made by the Treasury after issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to seek public comments regarding how the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) could streamline its review process for foreign investment transactions, while maintaining a thorough examination of national security risks associated with foreign investments.
Strengthening economic growth and domestic efficiency
At the heart of this outreach is the Known Investor Program, which is a new program announced in May 2025. The Known Investor Program is intended to enable qualified foreign investors to submit certain information to the CFIUS in advance of conducting specific transactions.
This allows CFIUS to collect relevant information prior to a transaction occurring, which enables CFIUS to conduct its due diligence process more efficiently than it otherwise would have been able to, resulting in reduced administrative burdens on both the U.S. Government and the private sector at the time a formal filing is submitted.
According to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, the improvements being proposed are necessary for a healthy economy to grow and thrive. The goal is to optimize the process without sacrificing the core mission of protecting the nation. Treasury officials believe that enhancing how information is collected and evaluated will enable them to move the review timelines for trusted foreign investors more quickly, thereby making the U.S. an even more attractive location for foreign investors wishing to invest in high-quality, secure capital.
Strategic realignment and global leadership
The Request for Information also asks stakeholders to provide insights regarding other areas of importance to the Committee’s work, including commenting on case reviews, reporting on non-notified transactions, and enforcing mitigation agreements. Treasury officials hope to receive opinions and recommendations from a wide range of constituents, ranging from attorneys specializing in foreign investment law to large multinational corporations, in order to develop a framework that is both practical and effective in addressing modern threats.
Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Chris Pilkerton stated that the RFI marks a significant step forward in updating the Committee’s processes. The effort reflects a commitment to stakeholder engagement and supports the goals outlined in the America First Investment Policy. Treasury believes that by streamlining these processes, it can effectively protect U.S. national security while upholding the long-standing American tradition of open investment and economic leadership.
The current public comment period for the RFI will run through March 18, 2026, and will provide an important opportunity for members of the investment community to contribute to the development of the Known Investor Program. Once the Treasury receives all of the submissions and evaluates them, it will strive to build a program that is as efficient as possible while maintaining the highest levels of security. Ultimately, the objective is to maintain a strong and resilient U.S. economy in light of increasing global dynamics.
