SelectUSA Summit 2025: Taiwan, Tunisia, Vietnam, Qatar Supercharge U.S. Investment Surge

The SelectUSA Investment Summit, held May 11-14, 2025, in National Harbor, Maryland, brings together thousands of investors, companies, and economic development organizations (EDOs) to foster foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States. Organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the event connects delegations from countries like Taiwan, Tunisia, Vietnam, Lebanon, and Qatar with U.S. officials and businesses to explore investment opportunities in sectors such as semiconductors, AI, and clean energy. With over 5,000 attendees from 96 international markets, the summit has facilitated over $135 billion in investments and supported 105,000 U.S. jobs since its inception, shaping industries by strengthening global supply chains and driving innovation.

Taiwan Sends Record-Breaking Delegation to SelectUSA 2025 to Strengthen U.S. Trade and Investment

Taiwan’s showing up in a big way at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, with the largest delegation from any country, just like last year. Led by Cabinet Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin, the group includes folks from industries like semiconductors, AI, biotech, and aerospace. They’re looking to build on Taiwan’s “Taiwan Plus One” strategy, which is all about expanding their industries globally, especially with the U.S. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is helping out by setting up sub-groups focused on semiconductors, AI, quantum tech, and drones to connect Taiwanese companies with U.S. partners. AIT Director Raymond Greene noted that Taiwan’s investments have shifted big-time from China to the U.S. over the past decade, with the U.S. now their top spot for cash flow.

Tunisia’s Growing Role in U.S. Investment: Tech Businesses Explore U.S. Markets

Tunisia’s sending 11 companies to the summit, backed by the U.S. Embassy, to check out business opportunities. Two companies, Aquadeep and BakoMotors, are pitching in the global competition, showing off AI-powered aquaculture tools and solar-powered electric vehicles. Other Tunisian firms, like Cure Bionics with its advanced prosthetics and Pixii Motors with electric scooters, are diving into fields like IoT, AI, and green tech. Since 2022, over 40 Tunisian entrepreneurs have joined SelectUSA, some even landing U.S. venture capital. The summit’s a chance for these companies to network and grow their U.S. presence.

Vietnam’s Push for U.S. Partnerships: Companies Set Sights on Expanding in Tech, Energy, and Infrastructure

Over 100 Vietnamese businesses, led by Deputy Minister of Finance Cao Anh Tuan, are at the summit to explore investments in tech, energy, and infrastructure. Big players like Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (TKV) and FPT Group are meeting U.S. state reps and companies like Intel and Meta to build partnerships. At plenary sessions, they’re learning about the U.S. business environment and tech trends like AI. Tuan said the summit strengthens Vietnam-U.S. ties, especially in areas where the U.S. has an edge, like digital transformation and manufacturing. A “Meet & Greet” event hosted by SelectUSA’s Ashok Pinto highlighted U.S. support for Vietnamese investment, emphasizing fair trade.

Lebanese Investors and Qatari EDO Delegation Explore Opportunities in Innovation, Infrastructure, and More

Lebanon’s delegation, supported by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson, includes investors in ICT, energy, financial services, and food and beverage. The group’s attending to connect with U.S. EDOs and explore investment deals. Johnson emphasized the importance of U.S.-Lebanon economic ties, with the summit offering a platform for Lebanese businesses to navigate U.S. investment processes and expand their reach.

Qatar’s delegation, supported by the US-Qatar Business Council and the U.S. Embassy in Doha, is attending to explore cross-border investments. The USQBC’s “Business Circles: SelectUSA 2025 Edition” event prepped Qatari businesses for the summit with roundtable discussions and networking. Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad al-Thani, USQBC Doha Managing Director, called it a prime moment for Qatar to tap into the U.S.’s massive consumer market. The summit offers Qatar’s delegation connections with U.S. EDOs and policymakers to drive deals in various sectors.

High-Profile Speakers at SelectUSA 2025: Global Business Leaders and U.S. Governors Headline the Summit

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced the initial speaker lineup for the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, featuring global business leaders and U.S. governors. Key speakers include Ashley Magargee, CEO of Genentech, and José Muñoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. Governors attending include Alaska’s Mike Dunleavy, Illinois’ JB Pritzker, Iowa’s Kim Reynolds, Maryland’s Wes Moore, Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, New Jersey’s Phil Murphy, North Carolina’s Josh Stein, Oklahoma’s Kevin Stitt, Puerto Rico’s Jenniffer González-Colón, and Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin. The summit serves as a platform for foreign investors to announce U.S. expansion plans and for EDOs to highlight local investment opportunities, with last year’s event drawing over 5,000 participants and generating significant economic impact.

Tax Reform, Supply Chain Transparency, and Defense Cooperation: Key Policy and Economic Impacts

Taiwan’s pushing for the Taiwan Tax Agreement Act to cut double taxation and boost their companies’ competitiveness in the U.S. They’re also working with the U.S. to tackle origin labeling issues, cracking down on transshipment fraud to ensure fair trade. On the defense front, Taiwan’s pitching its shipbuilding and drone expertise for joint projects with U.S. tech, aiming to boost supply chain security. These efforts, alongside the summit’s focus on industries like semiconductors and AI, show how it’s shaping global trade and tech by fostering trust and collaboration.

Global Pitch Competition Highlights Innovation

The summit’s global pitch competition features startups like Tunisia’s Aquadeep and BakoMotors, pitching to venture capitalists and industry experts. The SelectUSA Tech program gives early-stage companies a chance to showcase innovations in AI, green tech, and more, with a World Finals Pitching Session drawing big crowds. These pitches help startups secure funding and partnerships, driving tech advancements.

Summit’s Broader Impact on Global Industry

The SelectUSA Investment Summit 2025 connects diverse delegations from Taiwan, Tunisia, Vietnam, Lebanon,Qatar and others with U.S. opportunities, fostering deals that have generated over $270 billion in investments and 240,000 jobs since the program started. By linking global businesses with U.S. EDOs in sectors like semiconductors, AI, and clean energy, the summit strengthens supply chains, drives innovation, and builds economic ties. It’s a key platform for navigating the U.S. market and shaping industries worldwide through collaboration and investment.

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Author

Bernice Lottering