On March 4 and 5, 2024, legislative actions were taken to address concerns over foreign ownership of U.S. land and the agricultural trade deficit. Representative Mark Green introduced the Protect America's Lands Act on March 4 to prevent foreign and anti-American interests from buying stock in Natural Asset Companies (NACs), which could lead to ownership of U.S. land. This move is supported by the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association and co-sponsored by Representative Chuck Edwards, citing concerns over foreign and ESG capital takeovers. Additionally, a Congressional Spending Bill was introduced to crack down on foreign buy-up of U.S. land, particularly after concerns over Chinese deals. Representative Randy Feenstra led a letter urging the Biden administration to negotiate new trade agreements and open export markets for farmers, highlighting a projected $30-billion agricultural trade deficit. Feenstra also introduced legislation, which passed the House with a vote of 407 to 26, to ban China from buying American farmland, echoing concerns from Iowans during his #36CountyTour.
On my #36CountyTour, Iowans repeatedly tell me that they’re worried that China is buying our farmland. So am I. That’s why I introduced legislation — which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 407 to 26 — to BAN China from buying American farmland. #IA04
Congressional Spending Bill Cracks Down On Foreign Buy-Up Of US Land After Chinese Deals Raise Alarm https://t.co/LjvjXkzLJO
Allowing natural asset companies on the New York Stock Exchange would open the door for foreign and radical ESG capital takeovers of American land. I’m co-sponsoring @RepMarkGreen's Protect America’s Lands Act to make sure that woke corporations and foreign companies that could… https://t.co/eNqL09oqoE
Thank you to the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association for your support. My Protect American Lands Act would ensure future administrations don't go down this road again. https://t.co/ccinuDreRO https://t.co/byXIOUP2zV
Congressional Spending Bill Cracks Down On Foreign Buy-Up Of US Land https://t.co/LjvjXkzLJO
The U.S. is projected to register a $30-billion agricultural trade deficit this fiscal year. It's unacceptable. That’s why I led a letter urging the Biden administration to negotiate new trade agreements and open new export markets for #IA04 farmers. https://t.co/LZ8MCnvnWs
Since public companies are open to foreign investments, anti-American interests can buy stock in an NAC, giving them ownership of our most valuable resource—land. That’s why I introduced the Protect America’s Lands Act.