I was very interested in Prof Campbell's comments on changes in "pushes" for FDI in the US, particularly because I have started working on the political (as opposed to managerial) factors that fostered Japanese foreign direct investment in manufacturing, especially in the 1980s when such investment increased rapidly.

Apart from the need on the part of Japanese multinationals to circumvent trade restrictions (especially voluntary export restraints), it is obvious that the receptiveness (if not outright promotion) of host country governments (including localities) should have had some effect.

I am curious whether/to what extent the combination of US macro-economic ("Reganomics") and trade policies in the 1980s encouraged Japanese greenfield FDI (as opposed to acquisitions regulated by Exon-Florio, at least formally), and whether that has changed recently. I am particulary interested whether encouraging FDI can be regarded as a substitute for employment policies.

Apart from a chapter in the D Baily et al. _Transnationals and Governments_ and the cites therein (such as, Spenser _Foreign Investment in the US_ and numerous Congressional Hearings--which I haven't read yet), are there any good sources on the attitudes of manufacturers, unions, and governments on foreign FDI in the US, and the changes thereof? Could anyone who have been following trade/investment issues share their ideas/impressions?

Thank you,
Nobuhiro Hiwatari