Chinese investors own a surprisingly small slice of American land — less than 1% of all foreign-held acreage.
But where they’ve bought tells a bigger story: proximity to military bases, control of food infrastructure, and political backlash.
Let’s breakdown where China holds land in the U.S., who owns what, and why the government’s cracking down.
Total Land Held by China? Smaller Than You Think
China owns about 277,000 acres of U.S. farmland as of 2023 — down from a 2021 peak of 384,000 acres. That’s 0.02% of all U.S. ag land. But it’s not the size that matters — it’s where it is.
Top State: Texas
China’s biggest footprint is in Texas, where Chinese billionaire Sun Guangxin once owned over 100,000 acres near Laughlin Air Force Base. After federal pressure, some of that land was divested — but Texas still leads the pack.
Virginia: The Pork Connection
When China’s WH Group bought Smithfield Foods in 2013, it picked up tens of thousands of acres across Virginia. Most of it is still under Chinese control today — more than 85,000 acres, tied to pork production and supply chains.
Oregon: Timber and Tech Billions
In 2015, Chinese billionaire Chen Tianqiao quietly bought around 200,000 acres of Oregon timberland. No food production, no wind farms — just a massive private forest, and not a lot of oversight.
North Carolina and Missouri: Quiet but Strategic
North Carolina and Missouri round out the top five, with 40,000+ acres each, some of it still tied to Smithfield, some connected to Syngenta-ChemChina. Both states are home to military installations — and rising scrutiny.
Smithfield: Still a Giant
Smithfield’s holdings make up nearly a third of all Chinese-owned land in the U.S. They’ve sold off some acreage — but still control over 89,000 acres nationally. And yes, they’re still a wholly owned Chinese subsidiary.
National Security Concerns Go Loud
It’s not just paranoia — Chinese-owned land sits near at least 19 U.S. military bases, including in Texas, North Dakota, Utah, and Florida. In 2022, a Chinese firm bought land near Grand Forks AFB — that deal got killed after a Pentagon warning.
The Crackdown Is Here
More than 30 states have passed laws restricting land purchases by China. In July 2025, the USDA launched a National Farm Security Action Plan, targeting land near sensitive sites and adding new screening for foreign buyers.
Global Perspective: China Isn’t #1
China owns just 0.7% of all foreign-held U.S. land. Canada leads with over 12 million acres, followed by the Netherlands and Italy. But only China gets the national security spotlight.
This Isn’t About Dirt. It’s About Power
China doesn’t own much U.S. land — but what it does own sits at the crossroads of food, energy, and defense. That’s why this issue is front and center in Congress, in statehouses, and on the campaign trail.
