International Investments & Exports

OVERVIEW

International investment and export strategies play a direct role in strengthening the U.S.’s economic standing—and they can also contribute to lower global emissions. The U.S. economy is large, dynamic, and innovative. When American firms, which have a well-established carbon advantage over international competitors, make and export goods, they can displace dirtier production. Further, the global economy is increasingly demanding advanced energy technologies that have fewer emissions. This offers an expansive market opportunity for U.S. businesses. To realize the abundant economic, security, geopolitical, and climate benefits from a stronger U.S. role in global energy investments and exports, policymakers must come off the sidelines and meet the challenge. Their task: align investment and export policy with economic, security, and climate priorities. 

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Why It Matters

Economic Growth
Advanced energy solutions are estimated to fuel a $130 trillion market through mid-century. U.S. government efforts to open markets and support international investments and exports, especially in fast-growing emerging economies, will create opportunities for American businesses and workers and shape the future of U.S. economic success.
Supply Chain security
Increased market access and stronger economic ties to key markets can enhance supply chain security. This is especially important for raw materials that the U.S. is not currently a major producer or refiner of, like the minerals used to make energy, information, and defense system technologies. More secure supply chains will enable American firms to innovate and manufacture the advanced technologies sought in the U.S. and abroad.
Geopolitical Influence
Developing countries are taking necessary steps to industrialize and improve quality of life for their citizens. As a result, they are projected to lead both global economic growth and global emissions growth through 2025. Chinese companies have sought to capitalize on this surge, dominating the market for clean energy technologies and out exporting the U.S. by a scale of over 8:1. In an increasingly polarized world, effectively enabling the private sector to do business in developing countries will allow the U.S. to compete with adversaries and build ties where it matters most for emissions reductions.
Leverage Federal Resources
Strategic deployment of federal investment and export tools, such as the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), can reduce investment risk, improve project marketability, and attract private sector capital. These institutions can help scale advanced energy technologies, infrastructure, and critical supply chain projects that align with national priorities. Their models maximize benefits to the U.S. while minimizing costs to taxpayers.
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Is the U.S. ceding energy export dominance to China?
The Council’s research in Prioritizing American Interests articulated a $130 trillion global market opportunity for clean energy technologies through 2050.…
May 29, 2025
By Dan Giamo

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