Foreign direct investment (FDI) has long been a hallmark of globalization, helping to transform entire firms, cities, sectors, and economies. For evidence of this, we look no further than China. Attracting cumulative net inflows of $3.5 trillion since 1979 has enabled the country to grow its GDP by almost 8,000%. Over a similar time frame, China has also lifted 700 million citizens out of poverty. Despite all of the benefits that FDI can deliver, global investment flows have been in a downward trend since the Global Finanicial Crisis of 2009. Our sponsor, the Hinrich Foundation, puts this collapse into perspective. ... (full story)