When President Donald Trump announced a string of trade deals with key U.S. trading partners recently, he touted pledges for billions of dollars in U.S. investments.
When Trump reached a deal with the 27-nation European Union, he said the EU would buy $750 billion in energy from the U.S. and invest $600 billion in the U.S. The president said South Korea would buy $100 billion in U.S. liquefied natural gas or other energy products and give the U.S. $350 billion for investments. With the Japan deal, Trump said Tokyo would invest $550 billion in the U.S. at his behest.
During interviews, Trump has referred to the promised foreign investments as a "gift," "seed money," and a "signing bonus."
The White House has not released detailed terms of those agreements. Given the fast-pace of deals before Trump's trade deadline, the president's trade team could still be finalizing the terms.
Trump's plans for the foreign money come as many states and other governments look to restrict some foreign investments, particularly from U.S. adversaries like China. Multiple states have passed laws restricting foreign investment in agricultural land, particularly near sensitive sites, such as military bases.
Trump has said he wants to use tariffs to restore manufacturing jobs lost to lower-wage countries in decades past, shift the tax burden away from U.S. families and pay down the national debt.
Trump has said he wants America to be more self-reliant, producing, making, and selling products such as steel, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.
