Bipartisan Effort Emerges to Curb Chinese Land Ownership in the U.S.
Lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum are uniting to address the growing concern over Chinese-backed companies acquiring land within the United States. This collaborative effort arrives amidst escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, fueled by President Trump’s recent imposition of tariffs and China’s vow to retaliate. The proposed legislation seeks to enhance oversight and transparency concerning foreign ownership of American agricultural land, particularly by entities with ties to China.
Representative Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Iowa and a key proponent of the bill in the House, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "It is in the interest of the United States to review purchases of American farmland by foreign entities to protect our farms and agricultural production from our foreign adversaries, especially China," Feenstra stated. He criticized the government’s past failures in enforcing existing laws, monitoring foreign land acquisitions, and imposing penalties on those who violate regulations.
Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet, a Democrat from Michigan, is also spearheading the bill in the House, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the initiative. Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, is championing the legislation in the Senate.
The proposed bill aims to strengthen the role of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a body responsible for assessing the national security implications of foreign investments in the U.S. Under the bill, CFIUS would be mandated to review any purchase of American farmland by a foreign entity exceeding 320 acres or valued at $5 million or more.
Furthermore, the legislation calls for the establishment of a publicly accessible database on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, to be maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to collaborate with the Secretary of Homeland Security on an annual threat assessment report specifically focused on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.
McDonald Rivet expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with allowing foreign competitors, particularly China, to acquire substantial amounts of American farmland. "Allowing China or other foreign competitors to buy up large swaths of American farmland puts our national security and food supply at risk," McDonald Rivet warned. "This bill is a key step towards protecting American interests from falling into the hands of bad actors abroad, especially China."
Senator Ernst echoed these sentiments, attributing the issue to the U.S. government’s "outdated system" that has allowed "China’s malign influence to threaten our security by buying up our nation’s land." Ernst declared her commitment to addressing the problem. "I’m drawing a line in the sand to overhaul this flawed way of doing things, increase reporting and transparency, strengthen oversight of the influence of our foreign adversaries, and force the sale of foreign-owned land," Ernst affirmed.
While no foreign country directly owns U.S. land, Chinese-backed companies have significantly increased their holdings of American farmland in recent years. The growing trend has triggered concerns about potential national security risks and the integrity of the U.S. food supply.
A notable example of these concerns arose in 2023 when the Chinese company Fufeng Group sought to purchase land near a sensitive military base in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The proposed land acquisition sparked alarm among lawmakers and federal officials, ultimately leading to its rejection due to national security considerations.
According to a 2021 USDA report, Chinese entities’ ownership of U.S. farmland surged by 30% between 2019 and 2020, highlighting the rapid pace of land acquisition.
The legislative push to address foreign ownership of U.S. farmland coincides with heightened tensions between the U.S. and China over trade practices. President Trump recently imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, prompting a strong response from China.
China’s embassy posted a message on X, stating, "If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end." The escalating trade dispute underscores the complex and often contentious relationship between the two economic superpowers.
According to the most recent government data, Chinese-backed companies currently own 384,000 acres of U.S. farmland. This figure, while representing a small fraction of the total U.S. farmland, has raised concerns among policymakers and security experts due to the potential implications for national security and food security.
The bipartisan effort to address foreign ownership of U.S. farmland reflects a growing consensus that greater oversight and transparency are needed to protect American interests. The proposed legislation seeks to modernize existing regulations, enhance monitoring capabilities, and ensure that foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land do not pose a threat to national security or the stability of the U.S. food supply.
