Beijing on Wednesday sharply criticized new United States measures aimed at limiting Chinese purchases of American farmland, calling the policy “discriminatory” and a breach of international trade norms.
The Trump administration this week unveiled plans to block farmland acquisitions by Chinese nationals and other countries it identifies as “foreign adversaries.”
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning voiced strong opposition to the move. “A typical discriminatory practice that violates the principles of a market economy and international economic and trade rules and will ultimately harm the US’s own interests,” she said.
“We urge the US to immediately stop politicising economic, trade and investment issues,” Mao added.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the National Farm Security Action Plan on Tuesday, citing threats to national security and referencing concerns over the “Chinese Communist acquisition of American farmland.”
According to Rollins, the administration also intends to reverse some existing farmland acquisitions. “Claw back what has already been purchased by China and other foreign adversaries,” she stated.
As of the end of 2023, China held 277,336 acres (112,234 hectares) of U.S. agricultural land, making it the 20th-largest foreign holder, based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
One of the most prominent Chinese-controlled agricultural entities in the U.S. is Smithfield Foods, acquired by WH Group a Chinese firm, in 2013.