The Trump administration plans to collaborate with state lawmakers to ban the sale of U.S. farmland to buyers from China and other designated countries of concern: WSJ

The Trump administration plans to collaborate with state lawmakers to ban the sale of U.S. farmland to buyers from China and other designated countries of concern: WSJ

The Trump administration has announced plans to work with state lawmakers to implement a ban on the sale of U.S. farmland to buyers from China and other designated countries of concern. This move is part of a broader effort to protect American agriculture and national security interests. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, unveiled the initiative at a press conference on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Rollins emphasized that the sale of U.S. farmland to foreign adversaries poses a significant threat to national security. She stated, "We’ll never let foreign adversaries control our land." The administration's focus is on preventing foreign ownership from facilitating spying or influencing the U.S. food supply chain. According to the U.S. Agriculture Department, Chinese-owned entities hold nearly 300,000 acres of U.S. farmland, an area roughly the size of Los Angeles [1].

The initiative includes a multi-agency effort to strengthen U.S. agricultural research and safeguard it from foreign influence. This effort will involve legislative and executive actions at the federal and state levels. Rollins also mentioned that the USDA will prioritize funding for American-made technology and innovation. Additionally, the USDA will review its food stamp program to prevent transnational criminal gangs from exploiting it [2].

The administration plans to ban the purchase of U.S. farmland by Chinese nationals and entities, as well as eliminate existing agreements with foreign adversaries. This move comes after a pair of Chinese researchers were federally charged for attempting to smuggle a dangerous crop-killing fungus into the U.S. [1].

Rollins noted that the president is likely to sign another executive order soon to address the foreign encroachment. The initiative aims to be bipartisan, with Republican governors Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, Jim Pillen of Nebraska, and Bill Lee of Tennessee also in attendance. Rollins expressed hope that this issue will attract bipartisan support and that the administration will work with key Democrat governors and leaders.

The collaboration between the federal government and state lawmakers is expected to play a crucial role in implementing the ban. This effort underscores the administration's commitment to protecting American agriculture and ensuring that U.S. farmland remains under American control.

References:
[1] https://nypost.com/2025/07/08/us-news/agriculture-secretary-brooke-rollins-launches-national-farm-security-action-plan/
[2] https://www.wsj.com/business/trump-administration-seeks-to-ban-china-from-buying-u-s-farms-5e2aa349