China-Taiwan Conflict Brewing on American Soil?

It’s no secret that China owns hundreds of thousands of acres of U.S. agricultural land.

From Forbes:

China owns roughly 384,000 acres of U.S. agricultural land, according to a 2021 report from the Department of Agriculture. Of that, 195,000 acres, worth almost $2 billion when purchased, are owned by 85 Chinese investors, which could be individuals, companies or the government. The other 189,000 acres were worth $235 million when purchased and are owned by 62 U.S. corporations with Chinese shareholders. Chinese agricultural land ownership only increased about 550 acres from 2015 to 2019. Then ownership jumped 30% from 2019 to 2020, from some 247,000 acres to roughly 352,000. U.S. companies with Chinese shareholders more than doubled their acreage that year, accounting for 102,000 acres of the growth. China acquired another 32,000 U.S. agricultural acres in 2021—not as much as they scooped up in 2020, but 98% higher than their combined growth between 2015 and 2019.

The national security risk is causing concern among members of Congress and state legislatures.

There is federal and state legislation being considered to ban foreign adversaries from buying American farmland.

Texas and North Carolina are two of the states advancing such legislation.

JUST IN: The Texas Senate has passed a bill banning the purchase of farmland by China and other hostile nations.

— Michael P Senger (@michaelpsenger) April 28, 2023

North Carolina lawmakers vote to ban China, hostile countries from buying U.S. farmland

The North Carolina House lawmakers unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday, April 26, banning state-owned companies and hostile foreign countries, including China, from buying farmland or… pic.twitter.com/qQYoWJAjJC

— Spotlight on China (@spotlightoncn) May 1, 2023

There is a concerning development in Michigan related to an application to build a Chinese-owned factory.

The company, Gotion Inc., delayed a rezoning application to re-zone farmland to industrial to build a $2.4 billion battery plant.

It’s allegedly an attempt to re-zone the rural land to industrial to sidestep proposed legislation that would ban foreign adversaries from purchasing farmland.

Michigan residents have reportedly expressed outrage over the plant due to concerns about the company’s links to the Chinese Communist Party.

Chinese owned company Gotion with plans to build battery plant in Michigan has this line in their articles of association: “The company shall set up a party organization and carry out party activities in accordance with the constitution of the Communist Party of China.”
Story: pic.twitter.com/dA6UxHFctz

— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) April 13, 2023

News Nation reported:

A shocking twist is unfolding in the push to build a Chinese-owned factory in the heart of the Midwest as the company is now delaying a rezoning application, and backlash from Michigan residents may be the reason.

The company, Gotion Inc., is planning to spend more than $2 billion to purchase a large amount of land and build a plant in rural Michigan. Since most of the land is currently used for farming, Gotion was in the process to re-zone it from agricultural to industrial.

A process that is now delayed.

“Our decision will not affect our anticipated timetable, and Gotion will continue to work diligently with local residents, township and county officials, and other key stakeholders to ensure the project’s success,” a statement from the company read in part.

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According to Gotion, the proposed plant would cost $2.4 billion and would bring more than 2,000 jobs to Green Charter Township. But many residents are concerned over Gotion’s ties to China and the Communist Party.

There’s another concerning aspect of building a Chinese-owned factory in rural Michigan.

According to reports, the Michigan National Guard is training Taiwanese troops at nearby Camp Grayling in Northern Michigan.

The plant would be located about 100 miles from Camp Grayling.

#Gotion Interesting this article mentions the plant would be 100 miles from Camp Grayling~where Michigan National Guard members are currently training #Taiwanese troops. 🤨 https://t.co/CqWn8pDBO8

— Christine (@ChristineEliaz) May 5, 2023

Stars and Stripes wrote:

The extra personnel will train Taiwan forces on U.S. weapons systems and military maneuvers to counter a potential Chinese attack, according to the U.S. officials quoted by the Journal.

“One of the difficult things to determine is what really is objectionable to China,” one of the officials said of the training, according to the newspaper. “We don’t think at the levels that we’re engaged in and are likely to remain engaged in the near future that we are anywhere close to a tipping point for China, but that’s a question that is constantly being evaluated and looked at specifically with every decision involving support to Taiwan.”

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The Michigan National Guard is also training Taiwanese troops, including during multinational exercises at Camp Grayling in northern Michigan, the newspaper reported, citing other unnamed sources.

WSIL-TV noted:

Last summer, Taiwanese troops took part in the Northern Strike exercise led by the Michigan National Guard. The annual two-week exercise was conducted in August at Camp Grayling, just days after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the democratically-governed territory, sparking an angry reaction from China, including a military show of force around the island.

How many Taiwanese troops took part in the multi-national exercise is unclear, but Taiwan could participate once again this coming summer. The exercise, which also has a smaller winter phase, has approximately 7,000 annual participants.

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder declined to comment on the plans to expand training of Taiwanese forces.

“We don’t have a comment on specific operations, engagements, or training, but I would highlight that our support for, and defense relationship with, Taiwan remains aligned against the current threat posed by the People’s Republic of China,” Ryder said in a statement.