Following Ukraine’s unexpected drone assault on Russian installations, attention has turned to the United States’ own vulnerabilities, regardless of which side it took in the conflict. This incident has brought to light the potential risks of foreign entities, including those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, targeting U.S. land near sensitive military installations.
In recent years, entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party have commercially targeted land in the U.S., particularly around installations such as the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. The Fufeng Group’s 300-acre farmland purchase in 2021 initially raised alarms in Congress, prompting actions like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis banning such transactions in his state.
On Tuesday, North Dakota’s senators agreed that vigilance is essential against potential malign activities, whether through drone attacks or espionage via real estate transactions. Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer emphasized the need for constant vigilance against foreign actors, stating that their access to U.S. territories increases the risk of nefarious activity.
Cramer’s fellow senator, John Hoeven, has been working with federal partners to update the process for reviewing foreign investments, aiming to prevent such land purchases and protect national security. Hoeven joined an effort to co-sponsor a bill banning individuals and entities controlled by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from acquiring farmland near sensitive federal sites.
The bipartisan support for Rounds’ bill includes figures like Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto, whose state hosts important government sites like Nellis Air Force Base and Area 51. The South Dakota Soybean Association also expressed concern over foreign purchase of farmland, citing both agricultural and national security interests.