Discover the Fascination of Politicians with Mythical Chinese Land Grabs
Kim Reynolds, the governor of Iowa, once welcomed Chinese investment. However, her stance has changed, and she is now concerned about China’s aggressive land acquisition tactics. She plans to introduce a new law to tighten land-ownership reporting rules in Iowa, emphasizing the importance of American farmland staying in American hands.
Ms. Reynolds is not alone in her worries. Other state and federal politicians are also expressing concerns about Chinese land grabs. Missouri’s governor issued an executive order banning “foreign adversaries” from buying land near military facilities, and Arkansas ordered a Chinese-owned agricultural firm to sell 160 acres of land. The number of states with restrictions on foreign ownership has grown, and federal politicians are proposing tighter laws on foreign land ownership.
Despite these concerns, official data suggests that Chinese landholdings in America are minimal and declining. Chinese investment in the country has also decreased in recent years. Is the uproar about Chinese land grabs unfounded?
2024-01-22 15:55:48
Original from www.economist.com
