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New land ownership laws for foreigners have caused US citizens of Chinese descent to reevaluate their political affiliations, especially those, like Diana Xue, who previously supported the Republican Party.
Xue, a resident of Orlando, Florida, has consistently voted Republican, in line with her husband, friends and neighbors. This year, however, they broke with that tradition.
The shift was triggered by a Florida law that prohibits non-permanent Chinese citizens from buying property in the state. For Xue, who moved from China to study and became a US citizen a decade ago, the move represents the “legalization of discrimination” against people of Chinese descent.
Florida is usually a Republican stronghold, but for Xue, this law was the last straw. “Because of this legislation, I will start working to replace every seat I can,” he said. Florida’s situation is not isolated; At least two dozen countries have proposed similar laws to limit the purchase of property by Chinese citizens and other foreigners.
Many Republican lawmakers cited concerns about intelligence and economic threats from China as justifications for the law. While signing the legislation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis listed China as the “biggest geopolitical threat” to the US, stressing that the legislation was a measure against the Chinese Communist Party.
The law has been a “wake-up call” for some naturalized Chinese citizens, pushing them to the Democratic Party for fear of being unfairly targeted because of their ethnicity. Meanwhile, tensions between the US and China escalated in 2023 when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was detected in Montana, major states like Missouri, Texas, and Tennessee introduced similar measures.
The law restricts purchases of land near critical infrastructure or military bases to Chinese citizens and people from other countries considered enemies, with limited exceptions for people with asylum or non-tourist visas. According to the National Agricultural Law Center, 24 states currently prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of agricultural land to non-permanent residents.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, expressed concern about the growing hostility towards the Asian community in the US, seeing it as contradictory to the principles of free markets and international trade that the US claims to uphold. The law could also deter foreign investors who could contribute to the revitalization of the US economy, as noted by John Ling, an expert on attracting Chinese manufacturing jobs to the US.
One example of the challenges faced by companies with Chinese capital is Walton Global, a private land management company. Walton has been classified by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as one of the top five Chinese owners of US agricultural land, a designation that the company disputes, arguing that its global investor base is not primarily Chinese.
Since 2018, Walton Global has opened four offices in China, raising suspicions of a politically-influenced climate particularly sensitive to foreign investment ahead of the 2024 elections. USDA.
Walton’s property near a military installation has come under constant scrutiny, with some critics warning of national security risks associated with foreign ownership of the strategic area. The controversy has led both Republicans and Democrats to consider new laws to closely examine foreign acquisitions.
Walton Global, however, insists it is not a “Chinese” company, emphasizing its global network of investors and development in other countries. The company said foreign investment in U.S. farmland is complex, and its impact on national security should be assessed carefully rather than through generalizations.
The uncertainty created by these laws also confuses real estate agents and brokers. Angela Hsu, a real estate attorney in Atlanta, noted that many brokers are trying to understand the legal implications of the ban to avoid potential penalties, after the signing of a similar law in Georgia.
At the federal level, the House of Representatives passed a bill in September that would require reporting of purchases of farmland by citizens of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. However, the measure will not make it to the Senate.
The growing trend to restrict land purchases in the US is causing alarm not only in the Asian community but also among economists. Chris Suh, a professor of history at Emory University, pointed out that policies that exclude foreigners not only create division but also harm the economy, as seen in the past when Chinese railway workers were excluded.
Walton Global’s case, like that of other Chinese investors, illustrates the diverse perspectives and political tensions surrounding foreign investment on US soil. In the context of increasing political and security concerns, the debate over foreign land ownership in the US is likely to continue in the coming years.
MarÃa Herrera Mellado is one of the EE.UU. y license in España. Doctora en Ciencias JurÃdicas and Analista polÃtica. La Dra. Herrera is known for his extensive experience in analysis and consulting in public policy design, law proposals and international relations management.
Contribute to the analysis and legal representation of various organizations, companies and individuals who have been wronged by the wronged person, privacy or political inclusion of fundamental effectiveness in el amÃto de la transparencia de la transparency la lucha contra la corruption.
Académica and professional experience in the converter that has been resolved in the public debate and the analysis of topical themes in contemporary politics and law.
MarÃa Herrera Mellado is a US-based lawyer also licensed in Spain. He holds a PhD in Legal Sciences and is known as a legal and media policy analyst.
Dr. Herrera is recognized for his extensive experience in analyzing and consulting on public policy design, legislative proposals, and international relations management.
The recognition comes from the contribution to the analysis and legal representation of various organizations, companies, and individuals whose human rights or privacy have been violated, or who benefit from the inclusion of effective policies, especially in the field of transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption .
His academic background and professional experience make him a respected voice in public debate and in the analysis of current issues, especially in contemporary political and legal challenges.
