We have to be careful about everything that China does. They are our enemy, no matter how much we may get from them in terms of computer chips, automobiles, and other imports.
What they do on U.S. soil has to be carefully watched – and when they start buying land, particularly around military bases, we need to be concerned.
Republicans are already showing their concern and taking action. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) have introduced legislation entitled “Securing America’s Land from Foreign Interference Act.”
This legislation would prohibit members of the Chinese Communist Party from buying any kind of land in the U.S. It is a growing concern, especially when Chinese investors were shown buying over $6 billion of homes and land in the U.S. last year.
Senator Cotton explained in a statement, “Chinese investments in American farmland put our food security at risk and provide opportunities for Chinese espionage against our military bases and critical infrastructure. Instead of allowing these purchases, the U.S. government must bar the Communist Party from purchasing our land.”
Senator Tuberville followed that up by saying that the United States “cannot continue giving our top adversary a foot in the door to purchase land in the United States and undermine our national security.”
This seems like legislation that should pass easily, and with bipartisan support. After all, it would be hard for Democrats to stand there and explain why they would be okay with the Chinese government buying up land in the U.S. without showing off their allegiance to the Communist Party.
The startling amount of land that Chinese investors have accumulated is bad news – and something must be done about it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that Chinese holdings of land were only around 13,000 acres in 2010. As of 2020, that number rose to over 350,000 acres.
If we’re not careful, China will end up owning more land in the U.S. than we do – and then what?
It was recently reported that a Chinese firm bought 300 acres of farmland in North Dakota. At first glance, this seems innocent. However, it is also only 20 minutes from a U.S. Air Force base. Thinking that it’s just a coincidence is naïve, especially when we have always considered China to be a foe rather than an ally.
What would happen if the Chinese firm decided to build something on the land that could interfere with military communications? Or even intercept these communications? The results could have catastrophic results for the military.
We have to rely on the Republicans to look out for the best interests of the U.S. The fact that there’s not already a law that prevents China (or any other government) from purchasing land is shocking.
We’re not talking about a Chinese businessman buying a home in Palm Springs. We’re talking about companies and firms that are closely affiliated with the CCP buying up hundreds of acres of land at a time.
Cotton and Tuberville are already receiving significant amounts of support for their bill.
Whether it gets passed or not is what we have to wait on. After all, Biden has to be careful not to anger the Chinese because of the many personal relations he has with them.
If the legislation doesn’t pass with full support, we have to make sure that each and every person who votes against it never gets elected to office again. They’ll have shown that they care more about China than the U.S., and we cannot allow that if we want to repair our country.
