To a greater or lesser degree, many governments can be considered pregmatic nationalists when it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI)

To a greater or lesser degree, many governments can be considered pregmatic nationalists when it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI); this means it has both benefits and costs. FDI can benefit a host country by bringing capital, technology, and jobs, and it can also have a negative effect on a country’s balance of payments. Accordingly, government policies are shaped by a consideration of these costs and benefits of FDI.

 Home countries can adopt policies designed to both encourage and restrict FDI. Host countries try to attract FDI by offering incentives and try to restrict FDI by dictating ownership restraints and requiring that foreign multinational enterprises (MNE) meet specific performance requirements.