Farmland in Illinois, USA [사진 = AFP 연합뉴스]
It found that 15 states, including Texas and Florida, had restricted land purchases by Chinese people and Chinese companies last year. About 20 other states are also pursuing legislation to block land purchases by foreign nationals from so-called “countries of concern,” including China. Once the legislation is finalized, more than two-thirds of the 50 US states are expected to join the sanctions within the year.
The biggest reason for banning China from buying land on the US mainland is because of ‘security threats.’ According to the political media Politico on the 3rd (local time), state governments dominated by the Republican Party are enacting laws to limit or prohibit foreigners from owning land. Following 15 states last year, 20 states are preparing to block foreign land ownership this year. This law applies not only to China but also to countries of concern, including Russia, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba.
US states are strengthening their checks on China in key infrastructure such as airports, ports, and military bases, following the incident of a Chinese reconnaissance balloon crossing the US mainland in February last year. State governments are concerned that Chinese people and Chinese companies could buy land around US military bases, conduct espionage activities, and own large amounts of farmland, which could disrupt food supplies. In addition, state governments find it difficult to adequately resolve security concerns about Chinese mergers and acquisitions of American companies and land purchases through the federal government’s Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS).
South Dakota Governor Kristi Norm, who is being mentioned as Trump’s vice presidential candidate, described China as an enemy at a House Agriculture Committee hearing last month, saying, “They’re buying our entire food supply chain, and if that the United States is not self-sufficient in food and depends on other countries, it will be a problem.” “It becomes a national security issue,” he stressed. Last month, Governor Nome signed a law banning the purchase of farmland in South Dakota from six countries, including China.
However, some point out that the state government is overreacting without any basis. According to 2021 Department of Agriculture statistics, only 3.1% of US farmland is owned by foreigners. By nationality, compared to land ownership by Canadians (0.97%) and Dutch nationals (0.37%), Chinese only account for 0.03%.
Regarding restrictions on the purchase of Chinese land, the Chinese Embassy in the United States criticized, “If the concept of national security is defined too broadly and political, trade and investment issues are politicized, international trust will be the US market environment is weakening.”
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