US Administration Plans Ban on Chinese Farmland Purchases, Seeks Reclamation

The Trump administration has launched the National Farm Security Action Plan, a multi-agency initiative aimed at banning Chinese nationals and other foreign adversaries from purchasing U.S. farmland to protect national security. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the plan’s goal to “claw back” farmland already owned by China-backed entities and strengthen oversight of future purchases, especially near military bases. The plan involves collaboration among the USDA, Department of Defense, Treasury, Homeland Security, and state officials to prevent foreign influence over the agriculture sector, which is deemed critical to national security. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted concerns about land purchases near strategic military installations, seeking better transparency and controls. The administration cited threats such as espionage, theft of agricultural research, and vulnerabilities in the food supply chain, underscoring recent cases like the attempted smuggling of a crop-killing fungus by Chinese researchers. This comprehensive approach also includes enhancing penalties for inaccurate reporting and improving transparency in foreign investments related to U.S. agriculture.