Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025
In Committee
Introduced:Feb 25, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Charles E. Grassley
Senator
Republican
IA
Cosponsors
4
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Summary
This bill strengthens CFIUS oversight of foreign agricultural land purchases by requiring national security reviews of reportable agricultural land transactions referred by USDA. It specifically targets acquisitions by persons from China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran. The Secretary of Agriculture gains membership on CFIUS for transactions involving agricultural land, agricultural biotechnology, or the agriculture industry including transportation, storage, and processing.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill strengthens CFIUS oversight of foreign agricultural land purchases by requiring national security reviews of reportable agricultural land transactions referred by USDA. It specifically targets acquisitions by persons from China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran. The Secretary of Agriculture gains membership on CFIUS for transactions involving agricultural land, agricultural biotechnology, or the agriculture industry including transportation, storage, and processing.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill makes changes to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), including by requiring CFIUS to determine whether a national security review is necessary for reportable agricultural land transactions that are referred by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). (CFIUS oversees the national security risks of certain foreign investment in the United States. CFIUS has the authority to review covered transactions, which include mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers that could result in foreign control of a U.S. business; certain investments in businesses involved in critical technologies, critical infrastructure, or sensitive personal data; and certain real estate transactions.)</p><p>Specifically, the bill directs CFIUS to, after receiving notification from USDA, determine (1) whether a reportable agricultural land transaction is a covered transaction, and (2) whether CFIUS should initiate a national security review or take another action with respect to the transaction. </p><p><em>Reportable</em><em> agricultural land transaction</em> means a transaction (1) that USDA has reason to believe is a covered transaction; (2) that involves the acquisition of an interest in agricultural land by a foreign person of China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran; and (3) with respect to which a foreign person is required to submit a report to USDA regarding their agricultural land transactions.</p><p>The bill also expands the membership of CFIUS to include the Secretary of Agriculture for covered transactions that involve agricultural land, agricultural biotechnology, or the agriculture industry (e.g., agricultural transportation, storage, and processing).</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Requires CFIUS to review agricultural land transactions referred by USDA
Targets acquisitions by China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran
Adds Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS for agricultural transactions
Covers agricultural land, biotechnology, and agriculture industry
Includes agricultural transportation, storage, and processing sectors
Strengthens national security review of foreign farmland purchases
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill responds to growing concerns about foreign adversaries acquiring U.S. farmland and agricultural infrastructure. It would give USDA a formal role in reviewing foreign agricultural investments and could block or restrict purchases by entities from designated countries. This may slow some foreign investment in U.S. agriculture but provides security against potential food supply disruptions or espionage. Existing foreign agricultural holdings would likely be unaffected, but new acquisitions face additional scrutiny.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Related Subjects
Asia
China
Department of Agriculture
Europe
Federal officials
Iran
Land transfers
Middle East
North Korea
Russia
+1 more
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
732, 119th Congress (2025). "Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-732
