Chinese entities own over 42,000 acres of agricultural land in Missouri.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has signed an executive order banning China and other foreign adversaries from owning agricultural land within 10 miles of critical military facilities in the state.
Mr. Parson, a Republican, held a
press conference on Jan. 2 to announce his
executive order, which bans any citizen, resident, or business from a country designated as a foreign adversary from owning or buying agricultural land within a 10-mile radius of all military facilities in Missouri. Under the executive order, nations classified as foreign adversaries include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela’s Maduro regime.
“With no legislation approved the last couple of years and the coming political year, our administration wants to make sure we have something on the books to safeguard Missouri’s security interests with the authority we do have as governor,” Mr. Parson said.
The executive order grants the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) more oversight over proposed land purchases, and the agency’s director can approve or deny a land deal.
Mr. Parson said he was limited by what he could do under state law.
“This is as far as an executive authority goes under the current law of the state,” he said. “Believe me, if I had the authority, we wouldn’t just be talking about banning farmland, but all commercial properties by foreign adversaries, regardless of rural or urban.
“Because a commercial building in our urban area in the hands of adversaries poses just as much, if not more, of a threat to our security interest than a rural farm.”
Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican, said it was important to protect Missouri from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party.
“I applaud [Gov. Mike Parson] for taking this critical step forward to protect Missourians, our military assets, and critical infrastructure against China and other foreign adversaries, all while respecting our strong relationships with international allies and economic partners,” Mr. Kehoe said in a
statement.
“China is our nation’s most hostile foreign adversary, and Missouri cannot allow individuals and companies associated with the Chinese Communist Party to buy and exploit Missouri land.”
‘Too Little, Too Late’
The executive order has faced some criticism. Sen. Bill Eigel, a Republican running for Missouri governor, said Mr. Parson “is doing too little, too late,” according to a
post on X, formerly Twitter.
Mr. Parson cannot seek reelection due to term limits.
“This EO doesn’t ban Syria or Qatar from owning land within 10 miles of Missouri military bases,” Mr. Eigel wrote.
During the press conference, Mr. Parson was asked whether China or other foreign adversaries currently owned a piece of land within 10 miles of a military facility.
“Not that we are aware of. We do not believe that’s the case,” he replied.
Missouri is home to several
military facilities, including Whiteman Air Force Base, which hosts the nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. Others include Fort Leonard Wood Army base, Rosecrans Air National Guard base, and 65 Missouri National Guard armories and training sites.
As of 2021, Chinese entities owned
42,596 acres of Missouri agricultural land, accounting for less than half of the roughly 100,000 acres owned by all foreign entities, according to the MDA.
Mr. Parson responded to a question about the decision to implement the ban within a 10-mile radius rather than applying it to the entire state.
“I don’t have the authority to do that,” he responded. “This is an executive order, and I am limited to somewhat what I can do [sic].
“We will see what the General Assembly does. This has been in the General Assembly for some time. And what we’re really doing is taking a proactive stance to make sure we have something to cover in case nothing happens this year in the General Assembly.”
Top Priority
Missouri Senate President Caleb Rowden, a Republican, said that passing a law on the issue is a top priority for the current legislative session, which began on Jan. 3.Missouri isn’t the only state to have taken action to address the issue. In May 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
signed legislation into law barring citizens of a “foreign country of concern” from owing properties on or within 10 miles of military installations and other “critical structures” in the state. The bill lists China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria as foreign countries of concern.
There have also been concerns at the federal level. In September 2023, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo
said the United States must be vigilant of Chinese investors’ buying farmland and businesses.
In March 2023, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)
introduced a bill called the “This Land is Our Land Act” (
S.684), which would bar companies and individuals connected to the Chinese regime from buying or leasing U.S. agricultural land.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
