The Situation: The U.S. Department of the
Treasury ("Treasury Department") released final
regulations implementing the Foreign Investment Risk Review
Modernization Act of 2018 ("FIRRMA"), which, among other
things, effectuate the expanded jurisdiction for the Committee on
Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS" or
"Committee").
The Result: The final regulations, which will
become effective on February 13, 2020: (i) incorporate several
revisions to the earlier proposed regulations based on feedback
received during the public comment period; (ii) provide an initial
list of foreign states eligible for excepted foreign state status;
and (iii) signal key areas where subsequent regulations are likely
to follow in the coming months, including those aimed at modifying
the scope of covered investments in critical technologies.