U.S. Farmland Purchases by China Surge Amid Security Concerns, Restrictions Gain Bipartisan Support
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Chinese ownership of US farmland has surged recently, increasing from 247,000 acres in 2019 to 384,000 acres currently, raising national security concerns.
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73% of Americans support banning land acquisitions by China and other national security threats, according to a recent poll.
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Over two-thirds of US states have passed or are considering laws to curb Chinese purchases of American farmland and infrastructure.
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The legislative push taps into anti-China sentiment and serves both national security and political aims for conservatives ahead of the 2024 election.
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This decentralized approach of states taking foreign policy into their own hands could shape federal policy directions and present opportunities and challenges.