Controlling foreign investment in France: the balance between national sovereignty and economic openness
The issue of controlling foreign investment in France has become increasingly pressing in recent years. With the acquisition of strategic French companies by foreign players, such as Alstom, Technip, Exxelia and Cenexi, the country’s economic sovereignty seems to be under threat. The fear of losing control of key sectors of the French economy has led the authorities to strengthen legislation on foreign investment.
However, this trend raises an important debate: should we prioritize the protection of national interests by restricting foreign investment, or on the contrary, should we promote economic openness to stimulate the competitiveness of the French economy? This complex issue requires in-depth consideration in order to find the right balance between national sovereignty and attractiveness for foreign investors.
In his book “IEF. Le contrôle desinvestissements étrangers en France”, Pascal Dupeyrat raises these fundamental issues that run through the current debate. It highlights the need to protect strategic French companies while maintaining an environment conducive to foreign investment. This nuanced approach offers interesting avenues for reflection for political and economic decision-makers.
Indeed, foreign investment control should not be seen as a brake on economic openness, but as a regulatory tool aimed at preserving the country’s strategic interests. It is a question of finding a subtle balance between protecting sensitive sectors and promoting competitiveness and innovation in the French economy.
Thus, it is essential to set up effective and transparent control mechanisms to assess the impact of foreign investment on the French economy. International cooperation on investment control should also be strengthened to avoid distortions and unfair practices.
Ultimately, foreign investment control in France represents a major challenge for national sovereignty and the competitiveness of the economy. It is essential to adopt a pragmatic and balanced approach, which combines the protection of national interests and economic openness. Only such an approach will make it possible to reconcile the imperatives of economic security and attractiveness for foreign investors, in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world.