FDI originating from the US in the manufacturing sector has declined consistently since 2011, according to greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets. The number of projects tracked has fallen from 660 in 2011 to 260 in the first nine months of 2013.

Capital expenditure has also declined, falling 50% from $59.27bn in 2011 to $29.47bn in 2012. The first nine months of 2013 saw capital expenditure of $25.28bn. Job creation as a result of outward US manufacturing investment has also been declining, falling from 206,576 jobs created in 2011, to 103,741 in 2012 and 85,198 in 2013.

The most popular recipient country in the past three years has been China, despite witnessing a decline in the quantity of tracked FDI. fDi Markets recorded 121 projects from the US to China in 2011, almost halving to 64 in 212 and 40 in the first nine months of 2013. The top 10 recorded recipients, with the exception of Poland, have each seen a decline in the number of manufacturing projects from US-based companies.

The largest number of tracked projects in 2011 was in the chemicals industry. The number of projects in this sector has declined from 100 in 2011 to 34 in the first nine months of 2013. Similar declines have occurred in other sectors, with lower project numbers, investment levels and jobs created all recorded.

The data shows that there has been a consistent decline in FDI, signalling that the decrease is not country or sector specific.