1 month ago

US Warns of Food Security Risks from China Ownership

US Warns of Food Security Risks from China Ownership
China ownership raises US food fears · thehansindia.com

The US Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, warned that Chinese ownership and foreign dependence in the US food system pose national security risks.

She said that nearly 85% of US meat-packing capacity is controlled by four companies, two of which are foreign-owned.

Additionally, four fertiliser companies now represent 78% of US production, and two seed companies produce more than half of the seed used in the country.

Rollins proposed $10 billion in temporary assistance for farmers and said the administration had reduced the agricultural trade deficit by 42% in one year.

Senator Mike Rounds supported linking food security with national security, citing foreign adversaries, cyberthreats, industry consolidation, and unfair trade practices as factors affecting US food production.

Key facts

US Agriculture Secretary
Brooke Rollins
Chinese Ownership in Pork Sector
Largest pork company in the US is owned by a Chinese company
Meat-Packing Control
85% controlled by four companies, two of which are foreign-owned
Fertiliser Production
Four companies represent 78% of US production
Seed Production
Two companies produce more than half of the seed used in the US
Agricultural Trade Deficit
$50 billion in 2023
Trade Deficit Reduction
42% reduction in one year under Trump administration
Proposed Assistance
$10 billion for row-crop and specialty-crop producers, $1.1 billion for freeze-affected producers

Quotes

Brooke Rollins

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

“"Additionally, our largest pork company in America is owned by a China company, or China," she said.”
thehansindia.com

Sources

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