Foreign Ownership of US Domestic Industries
Through the purchase of important and strategic American corporations, foreign interests have acquired an increasingly large influence over our major industries. The share of all industries controlled by foreign interests has gradually ticked up in recent years as we have sold off many of our largest and most profitable companies. Such crucial areas, like manufacturing, are being gradually liquidated and handed over to foreign ownership.
Below you will find data detailing the foreign ownership of selected industries, including data for 2008 which is the most recent available from the IRS. Foreign ownership is defined as ownership by a foreign entity of 50 percent or more of the value of a corporation’s stock.
| Industry | 2002 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| All industries | 12.66% | 14.18% |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting | 6.36% | 4.36% |
| Mining | 26.96% | 21.54% |
| Utilities | 4.43% | 9.27% |
| Construction | 8.45% | 6.36% |
| Manufacturing | 20.38% | 24.89% |
| Wholesale Trade | 28.50% | 30.16% |
| Retail trade | Unavailable | 5.40% |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 7.75% | 10.67% |
| Information Industries | 23.59% | 11.85% |
| Finance and Insurance | 10.97% | 14.95% |
| Real Estate | 14.96% | 12.18% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 20.07% | 24.61% |
| Administrative, Support, Waste management and Remediation Services | 14.64% | 21.13% |
| Educational Services | 7.43% | 10.71% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 6.17% | 11.36% |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 7.32% | 11.39% |
| Accomodation and Food Services | 13.84% | 9.88% |
