WorldPosted at: Oct 13 2026 6:54PM


US seeks closer cooperation with Europe on investment screening

Brussels, Oct 13 (UNI) The United States is seeking closer cooperation with European allies on screening foreign investments for potential national security risks, while taking steps to make its review process more transparent to investors, a senior US Treasury official said on Tuesday.
Chris Pilkerton, assistant secretary for investment security at the Treasury Department, said Washington is working with European governments, businesses and legal experts to share best practices on foreign direct investment (FDI) screening.
Speaking at a press briefing from Brussels, Pilkerton said the United States wanted to encourage foreign investment while ensuring that transactions did not threaten national security.
“America is open for business,” Pilkerton said, describing efforts to make the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) more accessible to investors and companies.
CFIUS, chaired by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, reviews certain foreign investments in the United States that could raise national security concerns. The committee brings together the Treasury Department and eight other federal agencies, Pilkerton said.
The Treasury Department has introduced a new website offering prospective investors and their lawyers a pre-filing consultation process, allowing them to discuss transactions anonymously with officials before submitting formal filings.
The aim is to identify potential risks early and explore ways to address them before a deal is completed, Pilkerton said. The website also provides information on risks identified by the committee and mitigation measures used in previous cases.
The department is also piloting a Known Investor Program for companies and investors that frequently come before CFIUS. The initiative is intended to conduct background assessments in advance, allowing officials to focus more of their statutory review period on individual transactions. The programme is expected to become operational early next year, Pilkerton said.
During meetings in Brussels, Pilkerton met representatives of the European Commission, EU member states, NATO, business groups and legal practitioners to discuss investment screening and opportunities for cooperation.
He said Washington was sharing expertise with European partners, including Germany, on screening procedures, emerging risks and interagency coordination.
Pilkerton also said the United States was prepared to help countries such as Moldova develop investment screening systems suited to their national priorities and resources.
Such programmes assess potential threats, vulnerabilities and consequences associated with foreign investment, he said, adding that no single model would work for every country.
The discussions come as governments pay closer attention to foreign investment in sensitive sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, semiconductors and data centres.
Pilkerton said the United States and its European partners were seeing similar investment trends in these areas and were working to ensure that investment could proceed without compromising security.
He also highlighted efforts to identify transactions that should have been submitted to CFIUS but were not notified to the committee. Such cases can be more difficult to address after a deal has closed and may result in divestment requirements or other restrictions, he said.
Pilkerton said the Treasury Department is also preparing changes to the US outbound investment programme, which regulates certain American investments in China involving sensitive technologies.
The existing programme covers artificial intelligence, quantum technology and semiconductors, with restrictions that include prohibitions on some investments and notification requirements for others.
Legislation passed by Congress at the end of 2025, which Pilkerton referred to as the COINS legislation, expands the scope to include hypersonics and supercomputing and broadens the geographical coverage.
Draft rules are expected in the coming weeks, he said, with the department seeking public feedback before aiming to launch the expanded programme in the spring.
Pilkerton said investment screening remained centred on national security but added that the department is also prioritising engagement with businesses and investors.UNI AAB
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