US Bans Farmland Sales to China, Russia, Iran

The Trump administration has announced a sweeping ban on the sale of U.S. farmland to buyers from China, Russia, Iran, and other foreign adversaries, citing threats to both national and food security. The National Farm Security Action Plan, unveiled by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and other top officials, includes measures to block new purchases and scrutinize existing holdings by these entities. Chinese companies currently own between 265,000 and 338,000 acres of U.S. farmland, with significant holdings through firms such as Smithfield Foods. The administration will work with state governments and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to enforce these restrictions and address regulatory gaps highlighted by the Fufeng Group's attempted land purchase near a sensitive Air Force base. The plan also emphasizes the security risks of foreign land ownership near military installations. This initiative comes amid growing bipartisan concern over foreign influence, espionage, and the protection of U.S. agricultural assets.