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China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) plans to create database with information on foreign investors. China’s MOFCOM and National Development and Reform Commission role out first nationwide negative list, which has 30 fewer restricted and prohibited sectors than the 2015 list. China’s Leading Group for Comprehensive Reform calls for more statistics on and the better monitoring of Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). Despite Brexit, many expect Chinese firms will remain interested in investing in the United Kingdom (UK). Takata files for bankruptcy protection in the US and Japan due to massive recall, with viable operations bought by Chinese-owned Key Safety Systems. Korea Economic Research Institute urges Korean government to exempt taxes on income earned by South Korean multinationals abroad to encourage capital repatriation. Samsung joins increasing list of international firms boosting employment in the US in line with US President Donald Trump’s push for more manufacturing jobs. Jakarta plans to revise its Negative Investment List to encourage more foreign investment. World Bank states that foreign investment in Indonesia is still too low and recommends various policy changes. Minister says Malaysia’s government constantly striving to attract foreign investment. Former Bank Negara Malaysia governor says Malaysians should view China’s increasing investment rationally to evaluate benefits to country.

European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing highlights China’s 2025 Plan as possibly violating China’s World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. China’s re-imposition of capital controls becomes a hot issue at China’s 2017 National People Congress meeting. Facing seemingly severe constraints on their ability to access/use yuan, Chinese corporate executives are complaining about the impact of such limits on their ability to do deals. In the face of possible increased American trade barriers, Great Wall Motor Co. ponders building its first factory in the United States (U.S.). Wanfeng Auto Holding Group looks to the U.S. for deals to jump potential tariff and other barriers in the U.S. Toyota Motor Corp. may wait until economic fallout of Brexit becomes clearer until it decides whether or not to produce the next generation Auris in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Honda announces plans to invest $150 million in transmission facilities in Georgia and Ohio in the US. Chinese sanctions against South Korea because of the latter’s deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system hit Korean companies inside and outside China. Korea’s Trade Minister meets with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to seek ways to boost investment and other forms of cooperation. Indonesia explores new levels of investment cooperation with Japan. Indonesia welcomes small amount of investment from Saudi Arabia flowing from visit of Saudi king, but does not receive large amounts expected.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology sooths foreign firms over upcoming restrictions on VPN providers. Trump administration trade officials back a tougher line towards Chinese semiconductor investment and greater support for home firms. China stresses how Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in the US promotes manufacturing there and creates jobs. Hon Hai is considering a USD $7 billion investment in a joint flat panel project in the US with Pennsylvania a leading contender. In the wake of growing anxieties over Chinese investment, Australia moves to prepare review of strategic infrastructure. Apparently incentivized by Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other anti-trade statement, Toyota talks up $600 million investment plan. Toshiba’s troubles in the UK may force it to take on new partners and get United Kingdom (UK) government financing. Domestic and international political uncertainties seem to be driving a slowdown in inward FDI flows into Indonesia. Chinese outward FDI to Indonesia has been exploding, but it is uncertain if it will continue given uncertainties there plus anti-Chinese sentiments.

American firms fret that Trump’s stances on China trade and Taiwan may lead China to retaliate against them. Chinese firm drops contract with Korean software and platform provider due to sensitivities about Korea’s decision to deploy the THAAD system. Foreign decision makers strongly distrust Chinese state-owned enterprises where merger and acquisition deals are concerned. China retorts those critics arguing One Belt, One Road is a massive dumping scheme do not understand the idea of a double circulation economy. Japan is moving to force foreign pharmaceutical product prices to undergo annual reviews. Softbank pledges $1 billion investment in United States (US) as a partial fulfillment of a commitment made to US president-elect Trump. Russia, Japan, and many private companies strike new deals leading to cooperation possibilities in new areas. Japanese firms still intrigued by opportunities in the United Kingdom (UK) despite Brexit. The UK and Japan glow about a major nuclear cooperation agreement. The European Commission has fined Sony Corp., Panasonic Corp., and Sanyo Electric Co. regarding rechargeable lithium-ion battery price fixing. Investment in South Korea’s free economic zones is soaring but below prior highs. Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. wins two orders including one from Iran’s state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, the latter’s first post sanction order. Indonesia and Google fail to come to a settlement about Google’s alleged tax underpayments. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha orders mine operated by Australian gold miner Kingsgate subsidiary Akara Resources to shut down for health and environmental reasons. Vietnam’s inward FDI hits new low for the year.

China approves cyber security law despite intense lobbying by foreign business associations, firms, and governments. China reportedly is considering allowing foreign investment banks to have wholly owned operations on the mainland. China Development Bank Capital (CDBC) and Microsoft have formed a partnership to “promote technology innovation and smart city development.” Germany withdraws approval for a group of Chinese investors’ 670 million euro purchase of Aixtron. The German government is seeking greater powers to investigate and potentially block Chinese acquisitions of German companies. China has expressed concerns about Germany’s seeming new protectionist stance towards Chinese investment. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel speaks strongly about protecting German interests and gets the cold shoulder during a visit to China. High-level officials from the United Kingdom (UK) and Britain meet to discuss new investment collaborations in the financial sector. The Japanese government pushes Japanese firms to invest in Russia to help facilitate a resolution of the Russo-Japanese Northern Territories/Southern Kurils dispute. Japanese Trade minister Hiroshige Seko and Russian Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushka agreed to promote economic development projects in Russia’s Far East ahead of a summit between their leaders in December. Japan’s JFE Engineering Corporation will start constructing greenhouses in Primorsky Krai in cooperation with a Russian federal state enterprise. The President of the Japanese chambers of commerce in Britain and the European CEO of Mitsubishi warns that more than general assurances about Brexit are needed to comfort Japanese firms in the UK. Korea and Oman establish basis for Korean companies to participate in almost $27.1 billion in energy and infrastructure projects in Oman. Korea Gas Corporation moving forward on cooperation with China National Petroleum Corporation on natural gas trading, joint international projects, and information sharing. Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia has jumped following repeated high-level meetings between the Presidents of the two countries. Donald Trump’s victory dampens the opportunities for US energy companies in Indonesia. Jack Ma opts to serve as an advisor to Malaysia rather than Indonesia about the e-commerce economy. Chinese technology giants like Alibaba, Tencent, and Wanda Group have expressed their interests in participating in Malaysia’s digital economy plan. During his recent visit to China, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak signed 14 memorandum of understandings totaling USD $47.5 billion. Pundits note both future opportunities and risks relating to increase Chinese investments in Malaysia.