USDA Unveils National Farm Security Plan
The USDA announced on Tuesday the National Farm Security Plan, which aims to unite Trump administration officials, Republican governors, and lawmakers in efforts to safeguard American farmland, food supply chains, agricultural research, and particularly counter threats from Communist China.
“American agriculture is beneficial when it’s in American hands,” remarked Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins. “Every family and community relies on our farmers—not just for essential needs but for maintaining our strength. That’s why we’re under threat from criminals and hostile entities.”
In her speech, Rollins also revealed she has officially joined the US Foreign Investment Committee (CFIUS), with support from Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL). He characterized CFIUS as a group of senior White House officials making critical decisions about ownership of American resources, emphasizing the need for agricultural oversight to protect farmland. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) echoed this sentiment.
A counselor to President Peter Navarro expressed concerns about how the Chinese Communist Party is leveraging American supply chains against the US. Navarro stated, “Though we’re in the US, they treat us like a colony,” citing Chinese acquisitions like Smithfield Foods and Syngenta. He stressed the importance of seeds as a means to feed the world and pointed out China’s stake in that market.
Attorney General Pam Bondy mentioned recent charges against two Chinese citizens for attempting to smuggle potential agroterrorism tools into Michigan, as well as arrests connected to sending disguised biological materials to the US. “We will take action against you and ensure accountability,” Bondi asserted, noting the FBI’s launch of over 100 investigations into bio-safety issues in recent years.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses highlighted the national security ramifications of foreign land ownership near US military installations. “As leaders in the Defense Department, we need to know who’s owning the land surrounding our bases. If it weren’t for initiatives ensuring we have the necessary food supplies, we’d be seriously neglecting our responsibilities,” he cautioned.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem, a lifelong farmer, emphasized that food policy is vital to national security. “A country that can’t feed itself becomes vulnerable,” she stated, asserting that in South Dakota, Chinese ownership of land is not permitted.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) noted Arkansas’s recent law prohibiting foreign land purchases near critical infrastructure, making it the first state to take such action against Chinese firms. “It’s crucial for the country to protect its autonomy and fight for its freedom,” she stated.
Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) discussed Nebraska’s proactive stance against Chinese businesses, highlighting legislation enacted in 2023 to remove Chinese telecommunications equipment and prevent foreign threats from acquiring land. He pointedly refused meeting with Syngenta and advised them to exit Nebraska, which they eventually did, selling their operations to a local family-owned company.
Tuberville raised the alarm, mentioning that foreigners owned over 2 million acres of farmland in Alabama alone. “They have a significant influence over us because politicians are not prioritizing the country’s well-being,” he claimed, stressing the importance of reclaiming American farmland.
Representative GT Thompson (R-PA) pointed out a significant bill focused on historical investments in agriculture, enhancing biosecurity measures, easing taxes, and encouraging affordable energy policies to benefit family farms. He recognized various threats like foreign exploitation, intellectual property theft, and rising energy costs as daunting challenges for American farmers.
Rollins affirmed that the USDA is focusing on US-led research aimed at countering companies linked to adversarial regimes like China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia, while also revoking certifications for foreign entities. “Even in blue states, I believe there’s recognition of the importance of this issue,” she added, expressing a willingness to collaborate across party lines to safeguard American agriculture.
Marshall expanded on the idea that China’s land ownership is just part of a more significant issue, such as their domination in the American protein processing industry and continued intellectual property theft. “It’s the looming threat of bioterrorism that worries me,” he said, describing a potential scenario where diseases could devastate livestock while adversaries protect themselves with vaccines. “That’s why I advocate for dedicated bio and agricultural defense facilities.”
Previously, Rollins stated that the Trump administration is exploring federal responses to limit China’s acquisition of US farmland, highlighting the strategic importance of land near military bases.
