International Trade and Investment
Financial services are a cornerstone of U.S. economic growth—fueling business expansion, facilitating global commerce, and supporting millions of American jobs. Free and fair trade and investment agreements strengthen this foundation by opening new markets, expanding opportunities for U.S. financial institutions abroad, and encouraging foreign investment that benefits local economies.
SIFMA supports an open, rules-based global economy in which financial services play a leading role in promoting exports, investment, and innovation. We advocate for comprehensive trade and investment agreements that broaden market access, facilitate cross-border capital flows, and reflect the realities of a digital, data-driven global economy.
Key Focus Areas
Expanding Global Market Access
Trade and investment agreements should promote open markets, enhance cross-border investment, and eliminate barriers to competition. SIFMA encourages policymakers to:
- Support the free flow of goods, services, and data across borders;
- Maximize opportunities for cross-border investment in financial services; and
- Coordinate regulatory approaches internationally to ensure a level playing field for both U.S. and foreign firms.
These measures enhance economic competitiveness and foster financial stability worldwide.
Strengthening the U.S.–China Economic Relationship
The U.S.–China economic relationship is among the most significant globally. SIFMA supports efforts to expand U.S. firms’ participation in China’s financial markets and welcomes the Phase One Agreement, which includes provisions to improve financial market access and remove equity caps for non-Chinese participants.
We encourage both nations to fully implement and build upon these commitments to foster greater openness, competition, and transparency in financial services.
Promoting Financial Regulatory Cooperation
Uncoordinated or divergent regulatory frameworks can create inefficiencies that limit trade and investment. SIFMA strongly supports ongoing regulatory dialogue among global authorities to reduce conflicts, streamline compliance, and promote transparency in rulemaking.
Greater cooperation between regulators – particularly between the SEC, CFTC, and their international counterparts – helps ensure that financial markets remain efficient, competitive, and stable.
Advancing the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA)
SIFMA welcomed the USMCA as a modernized framework for North American trade and investment. For the first time in a U.S. trade agreement, the USMCA includes provisions prohibiting data localization and protecting the free flow of financial data across borders—critical to efficient, technology-driven financial services.
The agreement sets a high standard for digital trade and financial services, ensuring continued cooperation and innovation across North America.
Deepening the U.S.–UK Trade and Investment Partnership
SIFMA supports the development of a comprehensive U.S.–UK trade and investment agreement that reflects the strength of both economies’ capital markets. The U.S. and UK share similar market-based financial systems, regulatory philosophies, and leading global financial centers—New York and London.
A forward-looking U.S.–UK agreement should:
- Maximize opportunities for exports and cross-border investment in financial services;
- Be transparent and proactive in addressing regulatory frictions; and
- Strengthen both countries’ leadership as global standard-setters in financial regulation.
The Bottom Line
Open markets and coordinated regulation are essential to global economic growth and U.S. competitiveness. SIFMA supports comprehensive trade and investment frameworks that expand opportunities for financial services, strengthen international cooperation, and promote innovation across an interconnected global marketplace.
