In a recent interview with Laura Trump on Fox News, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins emphasized the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to limit foreign ownership of American farmland, especially by adversarial nations like China. The move reflects a broader commitment to protecting U.S. food security, national defense, and rural communities.
“We will never have an America first unless we’re able to feed ourselves, fuel ourselves, clothe ourselves, etc. And this president has been unequivocal in his support for our farmers and ranchers,” Secretary Rollins stated. “We see it every day in the trade renegotiations. You know, there’s no industry, I believe, that will gain more and that needs it more than our farmers and ranchers do.”
The issue of foreign adversaries buying American farmland has gained attention in recent years as purchases by entities linked to countries like China have grown significantly. “We have seen an absolute infiltration of our foreign adversaries buying our farmland. Back in 1980 or so, foreign adversaries like China only owned about 2,000 acres of American farmland. Today, it’s almost 300,000 acres,” Rollins said.
These land acquisitions, according to Rollins, are often strategically located near U.S. military bases, raising both economic and national security concerns. “It is across all of our states, but it’s really based around a lot of our military bases. At some point, it’s not okay anymore.”
To combat this trend, the Trump administration is working in partnership with state governments and preparing federal action. “Some of our best governors have already passed laws to say you cannot buy in their state if you are a foreign adversary. But we’re working here in Washington, too. We’ve got an executive order coming very soon, but really working to claw all of that back to ensure that we’re protecting the homeland first.”
As the administration moves forward with proposed legislation and executive orders, the issue of foreign land ownership in the U.S. agricultural sector remains front and center in the broader conversation about national security, food independence, and the future of American farming.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.