Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, R, signed an executive order Tuesday, Jan. 2, banning all land sales to “foreign adversaries” within 10 miles of critical military sites in the state, saying the state is taking security into its own hands. The executive order comes as fears have been raised about China-backed entities purchasing land strategically near critical U.S. military sites.
While we have had no issues at this point, we want to be proactive against any potential threats.
Gov. Mike Parson, R-Mo.
After a Chinese group bought 270 acres of land near an Air Force base in North Dakota in 2022, the Biden administration proposed a rule tightening restrictions over who can buy land near U.S. bases. However, many states wanted to go even further, banning all land sales to foreign adversaries — like China — which is exactly what Missouri has done.
“With heightened concerns regarding ownership of Missouri farmland by foreign adversaries, especially China, we are signing this order to safeguard our military and intelligence assets, prevent security threats to our state and give Missourians greater peace of mind,” Parson said. “When it comes to China and other foreign adversaries, we must take commonsense precautions that protect Missourians and our security resources.”
States listed in the executive order include:
- China.
- Cuba.
- Iran.
- North Korea.
- Russia.
- Venezuela.
Parson added that, currently, no foreign adversary owns land within the restrictions outlined in the executive order.
“While we have had no issues at this point, we want to be proactive against any potential threats,” Parson said.
Parson told reporters that this executive order is a placeholder as he hopes that the state’s General Assembly can get something passed in the next session.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland has jumped more than twentyfold over the last decade-plus.
For context, the most up-to-date USDA data shows that foreign entities own just over 3% of privately held agricultural land and less than 2% of all land. While Chinese entities control less than half, the majority of foreign-owned land in the U.S. is controlled by Canada.
