COLUMBUS, Ohio — As tensions between the United States and its foreign adversaries continue to build, some states are considering whether to bar foreign entities from purchasing land.
“The idea here is that there’s concern if we allow foreign interests in general, China in specific, given the increasing tensions … to own farmland in the U.S.,” agriculture expert Andy Vance said. “State legislatures are saying, ‘Hey, maybe we don’t want farmland in Texas specifically being owned by a foreign superpower.’ What does that do to our sovereignty, our food security, our national defense, if you will, because food is pretty vital to a nation’s well-being?’ That’s the debate they’re having right now, in essence.”
According to the Congressional Research Service, 14 states prohibit or restrict foreign landownership. Ohio currently allows the practice.
The data shows China owned less than 1% of total foreign-owned U.S. agricultural land as of last year.
“Anybody can own land, so how do we treat other people who don’t hold U.S. citizenship? Do we allow them to own land? That’s it’s a very sticky philosophical debate, very complex.” Vance said.
