A survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed China owns more than 380,000 acres of farmland in the U.S.
The USDA 2021 report said China – whether through individuals, their government or other entities – possesses 195,000 acres of land in the U.S. valued at nearly $2 billion, according to a March 1 Forbes article. Furthermore, 62 American corporations with Chinese stakeholders own approximately 189,000 acres of land, acquired at a cost of $235 million. This brings China's total land ownership in the U.S. to more than 380,000 acres.
"This is serious. Chinese investors own 384K acres of U.S. agricultural land," House Foreign Affairs Committee member and Tennessee State Rep. Tim Burchett said in an April 29 Twitter post.
Recent events have raised concerns about Chinese ownership of agricultural land in the U.S., particularly in relation to national security risks, Forbes reported. In January, the Fufeng Group Ltd., a China-based company, was denied permission to construct a corn mill on land near a North Dakota Air Force base.
Additionally, the recent downing of a Chinese spy balloon Feb. 4 has further fueled concerns that foreign governments may use U.S.-owned land for espionage activities, Forbes reported.
Washington Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse introduced a new bill in the House, named the Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act. According to a news release from Newhouse's office, the legislation aims to forbid any purchase of public or private agricultural land in the U.S. by individuals connected to the Chinese government.
The proposed law would also prevent anyone with ties to the Chinese government from participating in most programs offered by USDA, except those focused on food safety inspection, the release reported
"America is the land of the free — not the land owned by China," said Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., according to the release. "The Chinese Communist Party’s malign efforts to purchase domestic farmland is a direct threat to the American homeland. As an original cosponsor of the Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act, I am proud to join Rep. Newhouse on this important effort to protect our nation's national security, food security and economic security.”
