It’s becoming increasingly clear that Uncle Sam is asleep at the wheel, failing to confront the creeping threat of Chinese ownership of American soil. This is not just an issue of economics or property rights; it’s also a matter of national security. The Heritage Foundation’s recent report shines a harsh light on the federal government’s lackluster approach to tracking and managing the strategic purchase of U.S. real estate by entities with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The findings are as alarming as they are unsurprising.
Chinese-owned firms, directly linked to the CCP, are acquiring American land at an alarming rate, and the feds are essentially twiddling their thumbs. This isn’t just any foreign investment—these are acquisitions by a government that makes no secret of its long-term strategic goals to challenge and possibly surpass the United States on the global stage.
We’ve seen how Chinese companies strategically purchase land near U.S. military bases or critical infrastructure. Take, for instance, the case of Gotion, a battery maker with CCP connections, planning to set up near our heartland’s military installations. Or Smithfield Foods, an American pork giant now under Chinese ownership, which reportedly funneled vital food resources to the Chinese military.
This isn’t merely a commercial transaction. It’s a Trojan horse operation that could give Beijing direct access to the heart of America, including our food supply and technological backbone. There’s been a stark increase in Chinese-owned agricultural land, which surged five-fold between 2011 and 2021. While the current percentage may seem small, the rapid growth and strategic placements of these lands speak volumes about China’s intentions.
Even more damning is the federal ineptitude in tracking these transactions effectively. Real estate oversight is fractured among local, state, and federal levels, creating a patchwork of accountability that’s as holey as Swiss cheese. Without a unified and robust system to monitor and potentially block these purchases, we are essentially inviting the fox into the henhouse.
It’s high time for the federal and state governments to wake up and tighten the reins on foreign real estate acquisitions, especially those emanating from China. We need laws that not only enhance transparency but also give teeth to agencies tasked with protecting our national security. If we continue to allow our land to be bought up by a foreign power that openly regards us as a rival, we are setting ourselves up for a strategic disaster.
America’s farmland, its military perimeters, and its industrial heartland are not just assets on a balance sheet. They are the bedrock of our nation’s security and sovereignty. Allowing them to fall into the hands of the CCP is a recipe for disaster, one that could compromise our national security in ways we may only regret when it’s far too late.
