The Exon-Florio procedures for security review of foreign direct investments in the U.S. are meant to identify and address legitimate foreign direct investment (FDI) security concerns, without unduly burdening FDI.
The review system uses a self-screening process to focus reviews on the investments that have the greatest potential to raise security issues, it is oriented as much to solving identified problems as to preventing investments, and it has numerous deadlines to control the costs and uncertainty it creates for industry.
In Korea, certain labor and business groups are apparently agitating for a "Korean" version of the Exon-Florio Act. But unless this is a very bad translation, it sounds like, while they've got the name right, they've misunderstood the purpose - they seem to think they've discovered a great tool to suppress competition:
Business groups have teamed up with labor organizations to promote a Korean version of the U.S. Exon-Florio Act to protect key domestic industries from foreign takeovers. The two sides have formed an organization that aims to sway public opinion and lobby to pass the bill in this extraordinary session of the National Assembly. It's the first time business and labor have joined hands to form an interest group for a specific purpose.
The Exon-Florio Act was passed in 1988 to limit foreign investment in the U.S. Under the act, the president can restrict foreign investments in U.S. companies when there is evidence that it might allow foreign interests to harm the national security....
Labor and business groups... met to inaugurate a protective body for key industries, which was tentatively named the National Key Businesses Protection Policies Promotion Team...
General Secretary Choi of the UNI Korean Liaison Council said, "Labor and business circles have joined hands to prevent the harmful impact of foreign speculative capital. We will make an unwavering effort to pass the bill in the extraordinary session of the National Assembly this month."
Biz, Labor Groups Come Together to Protect Industries (Chosun Ilbo, June 8).
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