Foreign nationals tied to governments that ban U.S. property ownership may soon face a 50% tax when buying American land, thanks to new legislation proposed by Rep. Pat Harrigan. The bill aims to level the playing field by enforcing real estate reciprocity and protecting U.S. farmland and communities from foreign control.
Key Facts:
- Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) is introducing the Real Estate Reciprocity Act to Congress.
- The bill imposes a 50% tax on land purchases by foreign nationals tied to governments that ban U.S. citizens from buying property in their countries.
- Countries like China, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Switzerland have strict bans or limits on foreign land ownership.
- China owns 350,000 acres of U.S. farmland, while foreign nationals control 43.4 million acres of agricultural land nationwide.
- Canada is the largest foreign holder of U.S. land, with 12.8 million acres as of 2021.
The Rest of The Story:
Rep. Harrigan’s Real Estate Reciprocity Act is aimed at stopping foreign governments and their allies from buying up U.S. real estate, especially when those same governments deny Americans the right to own land in their countries.
The bill would impose a 50% tax on such purchases and require foreign buyers to disclose their transactions to the IRS.
It also mandates an annual State Department report listing countries that restrict U.S. citizens from owning property.
The bill comes as concern grows over the scale of foreign ownership of U.S. land, especially agricultural and strategic areas near military bases.
China, in particular, has drawn scrutiny for its acquisitions, owning hundreds of thousands of acres across nearly 30 states.
Critics have warned that these purchases could pose national security risks or push housing prices out of reach for American families.
Commentary:
The Real Estate Reciprocity Act is a welcome first step, but it doesn’t go nearly far enough.
A 50% tax might slow down some purchases, but it doesn’t stop the most motivated — and deep-pocketed — foreign entities from buying strategic or valuable American land.
If reciprocity is the standard, then parity should be enforced: no U.S. land sales to foreigners if Americans can’t buy land in their country.
This isn’t just about fairness — it’s about sovereignty.
Foreign adversaries, especially those with authoritarian regimes, are acquiring land close to sensitive military sites and pushing families out of the market.
It’s naive to think this is just economic activity.
It’s soft power, and it’s happening on our soil.
Countries like China, Saudi Arabia, and even New Zealand wouldn’t dream of letting Americans buy farmland or property near their military installations.
Yet our laws have allowed them to scoop up acreage without consequence.
That needs to change — not with loopholes, but with clear prohibitions.
We should go beyond taxing and start restricting.
No foreign national with ties to a government that bans American land ownership should be allowed to buy here — period.
Farmland, timberland, and areas near infrastructure should be off-limits entirely.
Disclosure requirements are a good idea, but enforcement matters more.
Without penalties and active oversight, bad actors will find workarounds.
The State Department report is helpful, but action — not annual paperwork — is what Americans want.
This issue affects both national security and economic freedom.
Real estate shouldn’t become a backdoor for foreign influence or a hiding place for wealth connected to hostile regimes.
If our leaders are serious, this bill needs to go further and send a clear message: America’s land is not for sale to those who lock us out of theirs.
The Bottom Line:
Foreign governments restrict U.S. citizens from owning land in their countries, yet their nationals are allowed to buy American property — including farmland and land near military bases.
Rep. Harrigan’s bill aims to curb this double standard with a steep tax and reporting requirements.
But more aggressive action is needed to protect U.S. sovereignty and fairness.
American soil should not be an open market for countries that deny Americans the same rights.
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