Gabriella Hoffman: Politicians Act to Bar CCP from Buying U.S. Farmland

The Chinese Communist Party, (CCP), is setting its sights on the United States. Federal and state lawmakers are taking proactive actions to combat this threat. How do they do it? CCP-affiliated persons, governments, and companies are banned from buying U.S. agricultural land. 

This is because it serves two purposes: to protect national security interests and to ensure food security. After it was revealed that a CCP-linked company was looking at farmland, this issue gained prominence. near Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota 

“According to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, the Grand Forks Air Force Base has exceptional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, making the recently purchased land the ideal location to closely monitor and intercept military activity,” a letter from 50 U.S. lawmakers noted. “The presence of a CCP-affiliated corporation near a military installation potentially undermines the integrity of our high-capability military bases, jeopardizing our strategic interests.” 

But this isn’t the first instance of the CCP wielding influence here. Two proposed Texas wind farm projects – one close to Laughlin Air Force BaseAnother. 200 miles northwest of San Antonio – were stopped between 2020-2021 over security concerns.

Exactly how much property– farmland and real estate–does China own in the U.S.? These holdings are a concern, and citizens should be concerned. 

A recent National Association of Realtors survey found that 80% of respondents are satisfied with their current market. reportChinese investors spent $6Billion on U.S. realty between March 2021-2022, which accounts for 6 percent of foreign buyers. Our neighbors Canada and Mexico have larger holdings, at 11% and 8 respectively.

Similar to the previous, the most accessible U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Foreign Holdings of U.S. China Agricultural Land Report “held 383,935 acres”— under one percent of approximately 40 million foreign-held acres.

It may seem like a small amount. However, it’s concerning that the CCP has gobbled up vast amounts of farmland in the last 10 years.

Chip Roy, Congressman, saw this and decided to make a change. reintroduce His bill, Securing America’s Land from Foreign Interference Act, during Congress 118.

“There is no reason we should allow one of our greatest adversaries — the Chinese Communist Party – to buy up land in the United States,” Rep. Roy said In a press statement. “If the Soviet Union had been doing this in the 80s, we’d have recognized the threat. China is not our friend; they want to dominate us and destroy our way of life; we need to wake up and start acting like it.”

Dan Newhouse, chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus is also a participant drafted The CCP was prohibited from buying public or private farmland last year by legislation. CCP specifically would be prohibited from buying public or private farmland. “participating in any United States Department of Agriculture programs except food safety inspection.” 

Last month, South Dakota took proactive steps to prohibit CCP-linked entities from purchasing U.S. farmland–especially holdings near military installations.

As I noted Last month Governor Kristi Noem spoke at Townhall. formed a new board, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States – South Dakota (CFIUS-SD), to “investigate proposed purchases of ag land by foreign interests and recommend either approval or denial to the Governor.”

“With this new process, we will be able to prevent nations who hate us – like Communist China – from buying up our state’s agriculture land,” Governor Noem said last month. “We cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue to buy up our nation’s food supply, so South Dakota will lead the charge on this vital national security issue.”

Two more states–Florida and Texas– are eyeing similar moves. 

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) recently Reporters were told “We do not need to have CCP influence in Florida’s economy.” CCP holdings on U.S. farmland are expected to be addressed by the Florida legislature when it convenes next year. This is Governor DeSantis’s request. issuing Executive orders sanctioning seven hostile nations–including China–for malign influence.

Governor Greg Abbott (R.TX) would like similar restrictions in Texas. One suggestion Senate Bill 147The Texas Senate had already filed the bill. If passed, this bill would block individuals, governments, and affiliated entities – including China – from purchasing land in Texas. 

“The growing ownership of Texas land by some foreign entities is highly disturbing and raises red flags for many Texans,” said Senator Kolkhorst, the bill’s chief sponsor. “By comparison, as an American go try to buy land near a Chinese military base and see how it works out for you. It would never happen there and it shouldn’t happen here. Passing this law delivers some basic safeguards to ensure Texans remain in control of Texas land.”

Texas, just like Florida, has already taken actions against China as well as other hostile nations. Abbott signed the “Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act” of 2021 into law–a measure that bars Texas “contracts or other agreements with certain foreign-owned companies in connection with critical infrastructure.”  

This issue should be a matter of bipartisan consensus in a divided Washington. The Senate and White House will not act as House members or states. This remains to be seen.

This issue isn’t going away in 2023.