WASHINGTON (TNND) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled the National Farm Security Action Plan, a new initiative aimed at safeguarding American farmland from foreign influence, particularly from China. The plan, developed in collaboration with multiple agencies including the Department of Defense and Homeland Security, seeks to end contracts with foreign nationals from “countries of concern” and prevent China from purchasing U.S. farmland.
“American agriculture is not just about feeding our families, but about protecting our nation,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins during the Tuesday announcement in Washington, D.C.
Rollins said that Chinese nationals currently own over 265,000 acres of U.S. land, some of which is located near military bases. More than 20 states have enacted various restrictions on foreign land ownership, according to the National Agriculture Law Center. The USDA plan calls for Congress to implement national restrictions on foreign land ownership.
“Today, we tell China to get the hell out of American agriculture. Today, China, here’s your ticket. Do not pass go. Get the hell out of American agriculture,” said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan.
The announcement follows recent incidents involving Chinese nationals, including the federal charges against two researchers in Michigan for allegedly attempting to smuggle a toxic fungus into the U.S. that could devastate crops.
“Both of them have ties to the CCP. Just days later, we arrested another Chinese citizen for sending packages of concealed biological materials into the United States,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The agriculture industry has uncertainties thanks to mass deportations. Farmers have warned that labor could be negatively impacted by ICE raids, and a significant loss in the farming workforce could impact America’s food supply. President Donald Trump suggested last week that farmers could vouch for their workers.
“If a farmer is willing to vouch for these people…I think we’re gonna have to just say that’s going to be good, right?” Trump said during an event in Iowa on July 3rd.
FILE – Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins looks on as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on April 9, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Rollins clarified that it didn’t mean amnesty for workers.
“There will be no amnesty. The mass deportations continue, but in a strategic way, and we move the workforce towards automation and 100% American participation, with 34 million people, able-bodied adults on Medicaid, we should be able to do that fairly quickly,” she said.
Regarding farmland already owned by Chinese and foreign nationals, Rollins indicated that an executive order might be considered to reclaim some of that land, noting that the administration was exploring all options.
