Full Breakdown
Trump’s China Visit: Farmland Policy Reversal and Soybean Trade Promises
5/16/2026, 9:19:54 PM
Policy Reversal on Chinese Farmland Ownership
During a May 15 interview on the tarmac of Air Force One, President Donald Trump defended Chinese purchases of U.S. farmland, arguing that removing Chinese investors would depress land values and hurt farmers. The remarks marked a sharp shift from his 2024 campaign pledge to block such acquisitions.
Background: Prior Pledges and Regulatory Actions
In September 2024, Trump vowed to prohibit Chinese ownership of U.S. land. In February 2025 he signed a national-security memorandum targeting foreign-adversary investments in agriculture, and in July 2025 the USDA launched a “National Farm Security Action Plan” to restrict new Chinese farmland deals and force divestiture of existing holdings.
Key Actors
- Donald Trump – President, advocate of market-based approach to Chinese land ownership.
- Chinese investors – Entities acquiring acres of farmland, some near military installations.
- U.S. farmers – Producers of corn, soybeans, and other crops directly affected by land-value and export dynamics.
- Brooke Rollins – USDA Secretary who promoted the Farm Security Action Plan.
- John Moolenaar – Michigan Rep. who introduced legislation to expand CFIUS authority over farmland near critical sites.
- Jamieson Greer – U.S. Trade Representative outlining expected “double-digit-billion” annual purchases of American farm goods.
- David Feith – Former State Department China-policy official warning of surveillance risks from land near strategic facilities.
Data on Chinese Land Holdings and Soybean Trade
- The USDA’s AFIDA data (through Dec 2023) show Chinese entities own ~277,336 acres, less than 1 % of foreign-held farmland and about 0.02 % of total U.S. agricultural land.
- Chinese ownership accounts for 0.52 % of foreign-held acres (Farm Service Agency).
- China’s share of U.S. soybean imports fell from 41 % in 2016 to 15 % in 2025; Brazil now dominates the market.
- The administration cites a target of 25 million metric tons of soybean purchases annually, but no concrete agreement was announced.
Implications for Agriculture and National Security
Officials link farmland near bases to “food security” and “national security,” arguing that foreign control could enable espionage or supply-chain disruption. Simultaneously, farmers fear that restricting Chinese capital would depress land prices, exacerbate already thin profit margins, and reduce export opportunities for soybeans and other crops.
Official Statements & Responses
- USDA Secretary Rollins framed the Farm Security Action Plan as protecting the nation from “foreign adversaries who are buying our farmland, stealing our research, and creating dangerous vulnerabilities.”
- USTR Greer said the United States expects China to purchase “double-digit-billion” dollars of American farm goods each year over the next three years, covering soybeans and other products.
- Rep. Moolenaar emphasized that “food security is national security” and urged expanded CFIUS review of farmland deals near sensitive sites.
Criticism & Opposition
Farmers such as Chet Erdinger (South Dakota) warned that Chinese owners are “shrewd” and “methodical,” making long-term trust difficult. Brian Reisinger (Wisconsin) described Chinese purchases as creating “great fear” and a threat to food security. Jeff Rutledge (Arkansas) called Trump’s soybean promises “disappointing” because no specific deal materialized. Former State Dept. official David Feith warned that land near military facilities could enable surveillance.
On-the-Ground Farmer Perspectives
- Erdinger: “Seeing Chinese landowners is difficult, and trusting them is even harder.”
- Rutledge: “It’s frustrating… we were hoping for concrete soybean market relief.”
- Dave Pfarr (Minnesota): “We would love to get China back as a customer; any increase helps USGA numbers.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Trump claimed “billions of dollars of soybeans” will be bought, yet no binding contract was disclosed and market prices fell after the visit.
- Ownership figures vary: 0.52 % of foreign-held acres versus 0.02 % of total farmland, reflecting different measurement bases.
- The 25 million-ton soybean target remains unverified; recent Chinese purchases have been modest and intermittent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You want to see farm prices drop, you want to see farmers lose a lot of money? Just take that out of the market,” — Donald Trump, President
- “Food security is national security, and we cannot allow foreign adversaries like China to buy up American farmland near our most sensitive military and critical infrastructure sites,” — Rep. John Moolenaar, Michigan
- “We do not need China to own American farm ground. The Chinese are very shrewd and they are very methodical in how they do things. And if you allow them to buy farm ground, down the road, it's hard to say how they will handle that,” — Chet Erdinger, farmer (South Dakota)
- “The farmers are going to be very happy. They're going to be buying billions of dollars of soybeans,” — Donald Trump, President
- “Hyperbole doesn’t pay the bills here on the farm,” — Pam Johnson, soy grower (Iowa)
What’s Next
Congress is poised to vote on Moolenaar’s CFIUS-expansion bill. The administration plans to formalize an agriculture council with China, while USTR Greer’s “double-digit-billion” purchase projection awaits concrete contracts. Farmers will watch upcoming soybean export negotiations and any regulatory changes affecting land acquisitions near strategic sites.
