What is CFIUS?

CFIUS stands for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. It is a US federal interagency group with authority to review foreign investments in US businesses and certain real estate transactions. CFIUS has broad authority to evaluate whether such investments could impair US national security. If a transaction could pose a risk to national security, CFIUS can recommend to the President of the United States to block or unwind the investment.

Which Agencies Make Up This Committee and How Do They Work Together?

The following US government parties also participate in the process: the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Commerce, Defense, State, and Energy; the Office of the US Trade Representative; and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Labor are non-voting members of CFIUS. Representatives from other federal agencies, including several White House offices, also observe and, as appropriate, participate in CFIUS’s activities.