PALM BEACH, Florida: Japanese technology giant SoftBank has announced plans to invest US$100 billion in U.S. projects over the next four years, marking one of the largest commitments of its kind.
The announcement was made on December 16 at President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son appeared alongside Trump and Howard Lutnick, head of investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald.
“He’s doing this because he feels very optimistic about our country,” Trump said, calling the investment “a monumental demonstration of confidence in America’s future.” He added that since his election, investors have been growing interested in committing “tremendous amounts of money” to the U.S.
Son, a long-time supporter of large-scale investments, said, “I am truly excited to make this happen.” He praised Trump’s leadership and expressed optimism, stating he hoped to “bring the world into peace again.”
SoftBank’s $100 billion pledge doubles a previous commitment made by Son in 2016 when he promised $50 billion in U.S. investments and the creation of 50,000 jobs after Trump’s first election win. Trump, appearing in good spirits, jokingly urged Son to double the pledge again, asking, “Would you make it $200 billion?”
The planned investments are expected to focus on artificial intelligence, a sector where SoftBank has made significant strides through its Vision Fund, which backs companies like Nvidia and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.
While Trump celebrated the news as a major victory, past investment announcements have seen mixed results. Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturer of Apple iPhones, made headlines in 2017 with a $10 billion project promise that was later scaled back. SoftBank itself has faced challenges with investments like WeWork, which filed for bankruptcy last year, and the failed robot pizza-making company Zume.
Trump has recently sought to encourage foreign investment by pledging to expedite federal permits for projects exceeding $1 billion. In a post on Truth Social last week, he promised “fully expedited approvals” for large-scale developments, including environmental permits.
Founded in 1981, SoftBank has grown into a global investment powerhouse. Its latest pledge underscores Son’s confidence in U.S. opportunities as Trump continues to position his policies as a magnet for global capital.
