Northwest PA News

WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, hosted a full committee hearing on the dangers China poses to American agriculture. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was one of the key witnesses. Her work to prevent South Dakota farmland sales to foreign adversaries gives her a unique perspective on this issue.

Chairman Thompson expressed concerns about China's actions, stating, "These last few years have seen China steal U.S. intellectual property, hack critical cybersecurity and related infrastructure, weaponize agricultural trade, and acquire American farmland at an alarming rate."

Regarding foreign investment in U.S. farmland, an unidentified speaker mentioned, "In 2022, Chairman Comer and I, with more than 125 of our Republican colleagues, asked the Government Accountability Office to evaluate foreign investment in U.S. farmland, and its impact on national security, trade and food security."

The same unidentified speaker highlighted the importance of improving coordination between federal agencies, stating, "A few months ago, we received the final report, which showed Congress where gaps exist in our reporting framework, and how better, more timely coordination between federal agencies could help increase visibility into potential national security risks related to foreign investment."

Chairman Thompson posed important questions during the hearing, asking, "So, how do we strike the balance of protecting our producers and consumers, and every piece of the agricultural value chain, while keeping pace with China’s needs? How do we reduce our reliance on one country without undermining the necessity of a strong export market? How do we think smartly about policies that mitigate threats while protecting our best assets?"

The discussions at the House Committee on Agriculture shed light on the pressing issues related to China's impact on American agriculture.