Archive · 22 Jul 2026
US Warns of Food Security Risks from China Ownership
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.
US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned Congress about national security risks from Chinese ownership and foreign dependence in the US food system.
Nearly 85% of US meat-packing capacity is controlled by four companies, two of which are foreign-owned.
Four fertiliser companies 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.
- Who
- US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Senator Mike Rounds
- What
- Warning about national security risks from Chinese ownership and foreign dependence in US food system
- When
- During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing
- Where
- Washington, DC
- Why
- To highlight vulnerabilities in the US food system and propose assistance for farmers
National Security Concerns
Economic and Trade Benefits
Foreign Ownership
National Security Concerns
Chinese ownership of US agricultural companies poses national security risks and threatens food independence.
Economic and Trade Benefits
Chinese investment in US agriculture supports economic growth and trade benefits.
Trade Deficits
National Security Concerns
The US agricultural trade deficit is a result of over-reliance on foreign supply chains and needs to be reduced.
Economic and Trade Benefits
Trade agreements and exports are increasing, reducing the trade deficit and benefiting the economy.
- 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