A group of Republican senators has introduced legislation aiming to completely prohibit China from acquiring land in the United States. Spearheaded by Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, and Katie Britt of Alabama, the "Not One More Inch or Acre Act" seeks to mandate the sale of any land currently owned or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that poses a national security risk. The bill would also empower the president to block future purchases of both public and private land by Chinese individuals or entities.
This legislative push comes amid growing concerns about the extent of Chinese land ownership in the U.S. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveals that China held approximately 350,000 acres of American farmland across 27 states as of 2023. More broadly, foreign entities and individuals owned a total of 43.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land in 2022, representing nearly 2% of all land in the country.
Lawmakers have expressed alarm that these land acquisitions by China constitute a national security threat, particularly given the proximity of some properties to military installations. Instances of Chinese nationals attempting to access U.S. military facilities, often using tactics like surveillance drones or posing as tourists, have further fueled these concerns.
Senator Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, emphasized the potential dangers of Chinese land ownership, stating, "At best, this subjects American land and resources to China's interests, not America's—at worst, these purchases function as outposts for Chinese espionage activities targeting American businesses and military bases. We must prevent Chinese citizens, or anyone connected to the CCP, from owning any more American soil. Existing land under Chinese control should be sold."
Several states have already taken steps to restrict foreign land ownership. The urgency of the issue was highlighted by a 2022 land purchase by the Chinese food producer Fufeng Group near a North Dakota Air Force base. This acquisition sparked widespread alarm and prompted the Biden administration to propose a rule requiring government approval for any foreign entity or individual seeking to purchase land within 100 miles of certain military bases.
Senator Britt echoed these concerns, stating, "One acre of American farmland owned by the Chinese Communist Party is one acre too many. The CCP's strategic acquisition of farmland, particularly near our military installations, isn't just a national security risk, it's a threat to our economic and food security." This issue has gained significant traction among Republicans in both the House and Senate, with representatives like Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) also pushing for measures to restrict Chinese ownership of land suitable for energy production.
