Foreigners pour billions into US politics — here's who's paying the most

The Shifting Landscape of Foreign Influence in Washington, D.C.

In recent years, the focus on foreign influence in Washington, D.C., has primarily centered on Israel and Qatar. However, data from the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) reveals a significant shift in the landscape of foreign lobbying efforts. These two nations have reduced their spending, making way for other countries that are less commonly associated with such activities.

According to a Washington Examiner analysis of OpenSecrets data, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, and South Korea outspent Israel and Qatar in 2024. These countries have various interests before the U.S. government, and they are investing heavily in lobbying efforts to shape policy in their favor.

Japan's Growing Influence

Japan emerged as the top foreign spender in 2024, with $48.5 million allocated to lobbying efforts. A significant portion of this funding came from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a government-linked nonprofit focused on strengthening commercial ties between Japan and the rest of the world. JETRO has been successful in securing meetings with prominent American politicians, including governors from Texas, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oklahoma. Additionally, the organization hosts expos, lectures, and seminars aimed at enhancing Japan’s commercial connections with the United States.

Japan also maintains a robust lobbying presence in Congress, relying on firms like Hogan Lovells and Akin Gump to represent its interests. Japanese companies have increased their lobbying expenditures by 8% year-over-year, particularly in sectors such as automobiles, electronics, chemicals, steel, and communications.

Unregistered Foreign Agents and Legal Challenges

While FARA data provides some insight into foreign lobbying efforts, it does not capture the full picture. The data fails to account for unregistered foreign agents, who may be operating under the radar. Both Israel and Qatar have faced accusations of circumventing U.S. law through covert influence operations. For instance, Al-Jazeera, a Qatari media outlet, has failed to register under FARA despite receiving a Department of Justice (DOJ) order to do so in 2020. Similarly, an investigation by the Guardian found that Israeli officials attempted to create an American nonprofit to bypass FARA requirements.

Unregistered foreign agents are not exclusive to Israel and Qatar. The Korea Foundation, which funds U.S. think tanks, has leadership appointed by the South Korean government and receives most of its budget from Seoul. This arrangement has raised concerns among legal experts about whether the foundation should be required to register under FARA. Azerbaijan has also reportedly encouraged its lobbyists to avoid registration, defying the law.

The Role of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

Critics often point to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as an example of an unregistered foreign influence actor. However, legal experts generally agree that AIPAC does not meet the criteria for FARA registration. The organization is primarily funded and operated by American citizens, though there are concerns about potential foreign funding through its 501(c)(4) arm. Despite these concerns, the exact nature of such funding remains undisclosed.

Under the second Trump administration, unregistered foreign agents may feel emboldened, as Attorney General Pam Bondi has indicated that the DOJ will not prosecute FARA violations unless they involve espionage.

Media Influence and Strategic Messaging

Qatar and Israel both actively work to shape American media coverage of their respective issues. Qatar, for example, has significantly increased its targeting of conservative media outlets, resulting in high-profile interviews and favorable coverage. Israel has also engaged in extensive outreach to media outlets, sending over 100 communications to journalists since January 2024. These efforts include op-ed pitches, cable news outreach, and engagement with alternative media platforms.

Qatar also provides lawmakers with informational briefs highlighting its strategic value to the United States, including its role in mediating the Israel-Hamas conflict. Some senators have echoed these talking points, according to previous reports.

China's Expanding Influence

China is another major player in the realm of foreign influence. Its FARA spending surged in 2019 after state-run media outlets were ordered to register as foreign agents. Chinese foreign principals spent $68.6 million on influence operations in 2019, peaking at $85.4 million in 2023 before declining to $32.9 million in 2024.

Academic research suggests that Chinese state media aims to portray the U.S. as "poorly governed" while positioning China as a stable and rising superpower. Additionally, Chinese state media has been accused of covering up human rights abuses, such as the repression of the Uyghur population.

Tech giants like Google and Meta have also been implicated in promoting Chinese state-run media content, raising further concerns about the reach and influence of foreign actors.

Economic Focus: Japan and South Korea

While Qatar and Israel focus on foreign policy, Japan and South Korea emphasize economic interests. Saudi Arabia, however, balances both areas. The country's Public Investment Fund and NEOM project are key players in its lobbying efforts, aiming to shape U.S. policy in ways that benefit its economic and strategic interests.

Saudi foreign agents have secured private meetings with members of Congress, placed op-eds in major news outlets, and influenced legislative outcomes, such as sidelining a bill that would have strengthened the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

The Evolving Nature of Foreign Influence

The landscape of foreign influence in Washington, D.C., is constantly changing. From 2019 to 2022, China held the top spot, and Israel led in 2018. The rise of the second Trump administration has intensified lobbying efforts, with significant financial inflows to K-Street. As global issues such as foreign aid and import tariffs continue to evolve, it remains uncertain which countries will emerge as the next major players in the influence game.