Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has reintroduced a bill that would ban Chinese corporations and individuals linked to the Chinese Communist Party from owning American agricultural land and residential properties. The legislative move follows the recent release of the Trump Administration’s National Farm Security Action Plan, which outlines strategies to safeguard farmland and food supply chains.

“China’s ownership of U.S. farmland poses a direct threat to American interests,” said Senator Hawley. “We should never let our nation’s greatest adversary have access to our vital resources, including our housing supply. That’s why I’m reintroducing legislation to protect American assets from the CCP once and for all.”

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that Chinese entities currently own approximately 278,000 acres of agricultural land in the United States, marking a 350 percent increase since 2010. Much of this land is located near sensitive military sites, raising concerns about national security and the integrity of domestic food supplies.

The Protecting Our Farms and Homes from China Act proposes several measures: it would prohibit Chinese corporations and individuals affiliated with the CCP from acquiring or leasing U.S. agricultural land; block these groups from purchasing residential real estate for at least two years with potential extensions; require divestment within one year for current holdings; and establish civil fines as well as criminal penalties, including forfeiture, for violations.