S.732 - Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The "Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025" aims to amend the Defense Production Act of 1950 by increasing scrutiny of foreign investments in U.S. agriculture. Specifically, it mandates the inclusion of the Secretary of Agriculture on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) when transactions involve agricultural land, biotechnology, or the agricultural industry. The bill also requires CFIUS to review agricultural land transactions involving foreign persons from specific "covered countries" (China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran).
Expected Effects
The bill will likely increase oversight and potentially restrict investments from foreign adversaries in U.S. agricultural assets. This could lead to decreased foreign investment in the sector from the named countries. The sunset clause provides that these restrictions will be lifted for any country removed from the list of foreign adversaries.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced national security by preventing foreign adversaries from controlling critical agricultural resources.
- Protection of American farmers and agricultural businesses from unfair competition.
- Increased transparency and accountability in foreign investment in the agricultural sector.
- Potential for greater domestic investment in agriculture as foreign investment from covered countries decreases.
- Ensuring food security by safeguarding agricultural land and resources from potential exploitation.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for retaliatory measures from covered countries, impacting U.S. trade relations.
- Increased bureaucracy and delays in foreign investment approvals, potentially deterring legitimate investments.
- Possible negative impact on agricultural innovation if foreign investment is significantly curtailed.
- Risk of overreach, where legitimate foreign investments are blocked based on political considerations rather than genuine security threats.
- Potential for increased costs for American consumers if agricultural production becomes less efficient due to reduced foreign investment.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and provide for the common defense. The bill does not appear to infringe upon individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights. The focus on national security and economic protectionism falls within the purview of Congressional authority.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).