U.S. Bill Aims to Block Foreign Adversaries from Buying Farmland

U.S. Legislation Aims to Shield Farmland and Infrastructure from Foreign Adversaries

Washington, D.C. – U.S. lawmakers have taken a significant step towards protecting American interests with the introduction of a new legislative initiative. Spearheaded by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and the Select Committee on China, the Protecting U.S. Farmland and Sensitive Sites from Foreign Adversaries Act seeks to prevent foreign entities, particularly those from China, from acquiring control over U.S. farmland and critical infrastructure.

"I've been sounding the alarm for years that China has no good intentions when they purchase U.S. farmland, ag businesses, or land near military bases," said Johnson, underscoring concerns about data collection and national security. The legislation aims to prevent foreign adversaries from gaining influence over critical U.S. properties.

Emphasizing the link between food security and national security, Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) stated, "This bipartisan legislation closes dangerous loopholes, presumptively bars foreign adversaries from purchasing land, and ensures the United States has the tools to stop these farmland deals before they threaten our security." The bill incorporates measures from the Trump Administration's America First Investment Policy and the USDA's Farm Security Action Plan.

Concerns over the exploitation of gaps in federal law by foreign powers, particularly China, were echoed by Adam Savit, Director for China Policy at the American First Policy Institute. He noted the need for federal intervention to preemptively block potentially harmful transactions involving key U.S. assets. "Legislation is needed to close these loopholes and protect critical American infrastructure and American communities," Savit added.

Rep. Johnson's efforts to safeguard American farmland align with previous actions, where he has cosponsored several related bills, including the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act and the Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act.

Legislation Details

The bill empowers the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to oversee foreign real estate transactions that could pose national security risks. It mandates CFIUS reviews for transactions involving farmland, critical infrastructure, or military sites. The legislation further elevates food security as a crucial factor in assessing national security risks.

• Expands CFIUS jurisdiction over foreign real estate purchases.
• Prescribes mandatory reviews for transactions involving farmland or critical infrastructure.
• Considers food security and biosecurity as critical factors in reviews.
• Includes the Secretary of Agriculture in CFIUS for agriculture-related transactions.
• Establishes a default prohibition on foreign adversary purchases unless security risks are otherwise managed.

The act has garnered bipartisan support, with cosponsors across various states, including Representatives John Moolenaar (R-MI), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and many others.

For more details, view the bill text.