Summary.
Notwithstanding a temporary lull during the financial crisis, global industry restructuring is driving a dramatic increase in cross-border acquisitions, and some countries are selling a lot more than buying—notably the U.S., the UK, and Canada. While individual sales can benefit the selling country, a net loss of corporate ownership control is worrisome. Inbound foreign investment is good for an economy when it results in more capital projects, increased innovation, improved productivity, and job creation. However, the sale of the controlling interest of a company achieves none of these ends in and of itself.