China’s influence in the U.S. could face a crackdown on multiple fronts if a slate of new targeted bills is implemented by the Senate.
This week, the representative of Oklahoma, Sen. James Lankford, led the introduction of three bills targeted at curbing Chinese influence. The bill specifically acts on China’s acquisition of U.S. farmland, its connections to U.S. education institutions, and its predatory investment.
Sen. Lankford told the media that “China continues to buy up American farmland, steal our patents and expand their authoritarian worldview.” ” America will demonstrate to the world our values and maintain our economic and military strength to assure the globe has the best opportunity for freedom. No one in China should doubt America’s resolve and commitment to liberty.
The first bill, the Countering Adversarial and Malicious Partnerships at Universities and Schools Act (CAMPUS), would forbid joint research between U.S. and Chinese universities connected to its military and prevent federal funds from going to schools that partner with entities linked to it.
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The next bill, known as the Belt & Road Oversight Act, aims to monitor China’s predatory lending practices and prevent any economic coercion. The bill would establish officers at all worldwide embassies who would be charged with tracking its investments in critical infrastructure.
The third bill aims to conduct oversight into any purchases of U.S. agricultural land that could pose a national security threat. Titled the Security and Oversight of International Landholdings (SOIL) Act, the bill precisely bars any federal aid for certain real estate holdings by foreign-owned entities and expands disclosure requirements for land purchases made by any such entities.
Both the CAMPUS and SOIL Acts are co-sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
The bills aim at China’s influence following the country’s recent nuclear talks with Russia and Iran in Beijing.
Prior to the meeting, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson stated that the discussions would be about “developments related to the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions.”
Earlier in the week, President Trump played down the encounter. He suggested that the adversaries of the United States might be discussing “de-escalation.”
Trump said “Well, maybe they’re going to talk about non-nuclear problems. Maybe they’re going to be talking about the de-escalation of nuclear weapons.”
