In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed that the Trump administration is actively exploring measures to prevent China from acquiring American farmland. This statement comes amid growing concerns about foreign ownership of agricultural land, particularly in light of potential national security implications.
Rollins emphasized the widespread apprehension among Americans regarding foreign ownership of farmland, particularly by entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). She noted that President Trump has played a pivotal role in shifting the global narrative about China’s influence, highlighting the risks it poses not just to national security, but also to food security. Rollins credited Trump with bringing attention to the issue during his initial campaign in 2016 and continuing to address it throughout his presidency.
Reflecting on the past decade, Rollins remarked on how discussions surrounding China were minimal prior to Trump’s emergence in politics. She underscored the need for a comprehensive examination of China’s growing influence in various sectors, particularly in agriculture. "If we’re looking back in history nine or 10 years ago… people weren’t really talking about China," she stated, reinforcing the urgency of the current conversation.
Rollins also pointed out the proactive steps taken by several states to curb Chinese investments in farmland. States like South Dakota and Florida have enacted laws prohibiting such purchases, and as of mid-2023, more than two-thirds of states were either considering or had implemented measures to restrict foreign ownership of agricultural land. This grassroots approach reflects a broader trend of states acting as "laboratories of democracy," according to Rollins.
Highlighting the strategic implications, Rollins noted that many Chinese-owned lands are located near U.S. military installations, raising additional security concerns. She expressed a strong belief in the need for both state and federal solutions to address the issue effectively. "We’re in a really, really important conversation right now on how to push that back," she stated, indicating that the federal government is now looking to take a more active role in this matter.
The interview suggests that the Trump administration is poised to take significant steps to safeguard American farmland from foreign ownership, particularly from China, as discussions continue on how to implement effective policies at both state and federal levels. Further details from Rollins’s interview are expected to be released soon, shedding more light on the administration’s plans.