In a surprising bipartisan move, Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania announced on July 8, 2025, his support for Republican-led legislation to prohibit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from owning American farmland. The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure (AFIDA) Improvements Act, co-sponsored by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), aims to strengthen oversight of foreign agricultural land purchases, citing national and food security concerns. Fetterman’s endorsement marks a rare alignment with Republicans, reflecting his growing divergence from progressive orthodoxy.
The bill responds to fears over China’s increasing land acquisitions, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting 350,000 acres owned by Chinese entities as of 2023. Fetterman, speaking at a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, declared, “The Chinese government should own zero agricultural land in our country. It’s a national security issue.” He highlighted the strain on Pennsylvania’s 56,000 farmers, arguing they shouldn’t compete with foreign governments. The legislation seeks to implement Government Accountability Office recommendations to track and curb such purchases, particularly near military bases.
Republicans, including Senators Tom Cotton and Katie Britt, have pushed similar measures like the Not One More Inch or Acre Act, citing risks of espionage and food supply control. Critics, including the Chinese Embassy, argue the ban violates market principles and harms U.S. economic interests. Democrats like Senator Cory Booker caution against broad restrictions, emphasizing the need to balance security with open markets.
Fetterman’s support, alongside his backing of the Laken Riley Act and Trump’s cabinet nominees, signals a pragmatic shift, drawing both praise and scrutiny. As the bill awaits a Senate vote, its passage could reshape foreign ownership rules, highlighting a rare bipartisan push amid heightened U.S.-China tensions.
