Days of Cheap Labour Over, Invest in US for Big Market, Lutnick Tells Global Investors
At SelectUSA, he says the US is the biggest market for investors.
National Harbor (US): Suggesting that the days of businesses looking for cost arbitrage to shift their manufacturing are over, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has urged businesses around the world to invest in the United States, which is the largest consumer market in the world.
“CEOs consistently say they have choices globally, but they are choosing to bring production to the United States because of leadership under Donald Trump… Why? Because the question has changed. It is no longer “where is the cheapest place to produce?” Now it is “where is the greatest consumer market?” — and that is the United States. Where is the best capital market? Where is capital abundant? Again, the answer is the United States,” Howard Lutnick said, inaugurating the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit at National Harbor.
The commerce secretary said President Trump understands what many people in Washington have forgotten — and what many leaders around the world have either forgotten or never understood — that capital goes where it is welcome, protected, and able to earn a strong return.
The world, Lutnick said, was no longer asking why invest in America. “The world is now asking, how fast can we get here?”
Clarifying the Trump administration's America First policy, the commerce secretary said, “America First does not mean America alone. It means we are open for business while ensuring strength in critical sectors — steel, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, energy, and infrastructure.”
“If you build here, hire here, and strengthen our industrial base, we will support and protect you… The message is clear: If you want to sell in the US, build here.”
Lutnick said SelectUSA Investment Summit is the front door to the US economy. Through the Investment Accelerator, we will help you with permits, land, workforce, and infrastructure.
Last year, he said, the SelectUSA Investment Summit delivered a record $139 billion in deals — factories, jobs, and tax revenue for communities. That success does not happen by chance. It comes from confidence in the US economy.
The commerce secretary also promised to assist the investors to assist them with L-1 visas to bring their teams and to help launch operations, while building long-term American workforce capacity.
