"The Multilateral Agreement on Investment is a proposed treaty that would dramatically reduce the capacity of national and sub-national governments to limit the degree and nature of foreign investment (both outgoing and incoming) or to impose standards of behaviour on investors.
"Essentially MAI forbids “discriminating” between domestic and foreign “investors” in any sector. While investors are generally understood to be businesses, MAI considers any government regulations or practices that interfere with the commercial interests of foreign corporations in every sector of the economy — natural resources, health, education, pensions, agriculture and culture included — to be discriminatory and open for challenge."