Skip to content

China overtakes U.S. in new foreign investment

China surpassed the United States as the world's top recipient of foreign direct investment with inflows of US$163 billion in 2020, new UNCTAD figures show.

A cargo plane from Shanghai touches down at LAX
A cargo plane from Shanghai touches down at LAX (AN/Glenn Beltz)

China surpassed the United States as the world's top recipient of news foreign direct investment with inflows of US$163 billion in 2020, U.N. Conference on Trade and Development figures released on Sunday show.

The figures from UNCTAD highlight the effect of the nearly year-long coronavirus pandemic on the two countries, particularly the contrast in how they've dealt with it, and the trade war with China waged by the former Trump administration.

This article is for paying subscribers only

Join now

Already have an account? Log in

Latest