The international investment position of the United States

This report analyzes the net international investment position of the United States in the years 1983-1986. Using the Department of Commerce framework, which is the full balance sheet net international investment position, this analysis involves a clarification of the term "debtor" and a reevaluation of some components of the net international investment position. In addition to refining the definition of debtor, this report analyzes the components of the international investment position. The results of this analysis are (1) elimination of full balance debtor status of the United States in the years 1985 and 1986, (2) reduction of the financial net in all four years, (3) movement of the nondebt net from debtor to creditor status in all four years, and (4) no significant impact on the rate of change of the net international investment position or of its subbalance nets. The report briefly discusses the forces behind the decline in the net international investment position and determines that it should not necessarily be deemed a deterioration because of the positive economic effects of capital inflows.