Trump’s China standoff hits Congress, lawmakers move to protect US land
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are joining forces to address the issue of Chinese-backed companies owning land in the continental United States. This initiative comes at a crucial time as tensions between the Trump administration and Beijing escalate, with China vowing to retaliate against what it deems as “arbitrary” tariffs imposed by the U.S.
Representative Randy Feenstra, the Republican leading the bill, emphasized the importance of safeguarding American farmland from foreign adversaries, particularly China. He criticized the government for failing to enforce existing laws and monitor foreign purchases of farmland effectively.
The bipartisan effort is spearheaded by Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet from Michigan and Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa. The proposed legislation aims to empower the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to scrutinize any acquisition of American farmland exceeding 320 acres or $5 million by a foreign entity. Additionally, it seeks to establish a public database on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland through the Department of Agriculture and mandates an annual threat assessment report on the subject.
McDonald Rivet underscored the national security risks associated with allowing foreign competitors, especially China, to acquire large portions of American farmland. She emphasized that the bill represents a crucial step in safeguarding American interests from falling into the hands of foreign entities.
Senator Ernst criticized the outdated system that has enabled China to exert its influence through land acquisitions in the U.S. She vowed to revamp the current framework, enhance transparency, strengthen oversight, and compel the divestiture of foreign-owned land.
While no foreign country directly owns land in the U.S., Chinese-backed companies have steadily increased their ownership of American farmland in recent years. A notable instance was the thwarted attempt by the Chinese company Fufeng Group to purchase land near a sensitive military base in North Dakota in 2023, prompting concerns over national security.
According to a USDA report, Chinese entities’ ownership of U.S. farmland surged by 30% between 2019 and 2020. With China issuing warnings of a potential war over export taxes in response to U.S. tariffs, the issue of foreign ownership of American farmland has gained greater significance.
As the bipartisan effort gains momentum, the focus remains on safeguarding national security, protecting the food supply, and preventing undue influence from foreign adversaries. With Chinese-backed companies currently holding 384,000 acres of U.S. farmland, the need for robust legislation to address this issue is more pressing than ever.
