The Protection of National Security in IIAs

After almost two decades of nearly unequivocal support for investment liberalisation, many countries have started to re-evaluate these policies, and some have introduced adjustments, thereby exercising their right to regulate foreign investment to pursue domestic policy objectives. Security concerns have been invoked in relation to planned investments in so-called strategic industries and critical infrastructure. Thus, the issue has implications that go far beyond the defense-related...
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After almost two decades of nearly unequivocal support for investment liberalisation, many countries have started to re-evaluate these policies, and some have introduced adjustments, thereby exercising their right to regulate foreign investment to pursue domestic policy objectives. Security concerns have been invoked in relation to planned investments in so-called strategic industries and critical infrastructure. Thus, the issue has implications that go far beyond the defense-related activities for which the national security exception was initially designed. The paper explores the role of international investment agreements (IIAs) in connection with investment restrictions based on national security considerations, and what approaches there treaties have taken with regard to national security exceptions.