Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)

While the so-called Exon-Florio Amendment requiring U.S. government reviews of foreign acquisitions has been in existence since 1988, globalization has made this law an increasingly more significant factor that must be considered in transactions where U.S. companies are being acquired. The U.S. government has effectively blocked a Chinese takeover of Chevron, as well as DP World’s acquisition of the U.S. operations of P&O Steam Navigation Company Ltd. Foreign investments in the United States are no longer simple. They must be vetted through various government agencies and occasionally politically approved by the U.S. Congress.

Alston & Bird has done significant work assisting clients in the CFIUS arena. We have an intimate working knowledge of the law and an understanding of its application in the political landscape. The numerous CFIUS representations we have handled include what was arguably the most famous one of all time—DP World’s acquisition of P&O and the ensuing firestorm.