What's happened
As of July 2025, the US government is intensifying efforts to block foreign adversaries, especially China and Russia, from accessing sensitive defense research and agricultural assets. New amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act aim to halt Pentagon funding for research linked to hostile nations and animal testing abroad. Concurrently, the USDA announced a plan to prevent farmland purchases by foreign nationals near military bases, responding to espionage cases involving Chinese agents targeting US Navy secrets.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic National Security Measures
The US is implementing a multi-pronged approach to counter foreign adversaries' infiltration into critical sectors. Senator Joni Ernst's amendments to the defense bill explicitly prohibit Pentagon funding for research involving Chinese and Russian institutions, particularly targeting gain-of-function pathogen studies and animal testing facilities. This reflects a hardening stance following audits revealing untracked and potentially risky overseas research funding.
Agricultural Security as a National Defense Priority
The USDA's National Farm Security Action Plan signals a recognition that agricultural assets are vulnerable to foreign influence, especially near military bases. By banning farmland purchases by nationals from adversarial countries and tightening foreign investment disclosures, the US aims to close gaps that could enable surveillance or sabotage.
Espionage Cases Highlight Persistent Threats
Recent prosecutions of Chinese agents, Yuance Chen and Liren Lai, underscore the ongoing intelligence threat targeting US Navy operations. Their activities, including surveillance and recruitment efforts, reveal the depth of China's Ministry of State Security's campaign to gain blue-water naval capabilities and undermine US military advantage.
Political and Public Pressure Driving Action
The involvement of multiple cabinet officials and bipartisan state governors in the USDA plan, alongside vocal advocacy from lawmakers like Ernst and Mace, indicates strong political will to address these vulnerabilities. Public watchdog groups have also played a role in exposing questionable funding and unethical animal testing.
Forecast and Implications
These measures will likely tighten oversight and reduce US taxpayer funding flowing to foreign adversaries' research and land holdings. However, enforcement challenges remain, especially in tracking complex funding channels and foreign ownership structures. The heightened scrutiny may also escalate tensions with China and Russia, potentially affecting diplomatic and trade relations. For US citizens, these actions aim to protect national security and critical infrastructure, though the direct impact on daily life may be limited unless further espionage incidents emerge.
What the papers say
The New York Post provides detailed coverage of Senator Joni Ernst's amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, highlighting her efforts to stop Pentagon funding for research linked to China and Russia, including gain-of-function pathogen studies and animal testing abroad. Ernst is quoted saying, "It is insane that I’ve had to fight for years to stop funding foreign adversaries’ labs and shady experiments by Chinese scientists with American defense dollars."
Bloomberg and the New York Post report on the USDA's National Farm Security Action Plan, with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasizing the threat posed by foreign ownership of farmland near US military bases. Rollins notes, "Too much American land is owned by nationals of adversarial countries, and more than 265,000 acres in the United States are owned by Chinese nationals, much of which is located near critical US military bases."
Al Jazeera, AP News, South China Morning Post, and The Independent provide consistent accounts of the espionage case against Yuance Chen and Liren Lai, accused of working for China's Ministry of State Security. Attorney General Pamela Bondi states, "This case underscores the Chinese government’s sustained and aggressive effort to infiltrate our military and undermine our national security from within."
These sources collectively illustrate a coordinated US government response to foreign espionage and influence, combining legislative, executive, and law enforcement actions. The New York Post and watchdog groups like White Coat Waste add a critical perspective on ethical concerns and taxpayer accountability, while the international outlets focus on the espionage prosecutions and their implications for US-China relations.
How we got here
Concerns over foreign espionage and influence in US defense and agriculture have grown following revelations of Pentagon funds reaching Chinese labs, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and recent arrests of Chinese agents spying on US military installations. These developments prompted legislative and executive actions to safeguard national security and critical infrastructure.
Go deeper
- What are the details of Senator Joni Ernst's amendments to the defense bill?
- How does the USDA plan to prevent foreign ownership of US farmland?
- What are the specifics of the espionage charges against the Chinese agents?
Common question
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What Are the US Charges Against Yuance Chen and Liren Lai in the Chinese Espionage Case?
The recent charges against Yuance Chen and Liren Lai by the US Justice Department have raised significant concerns about espionage activities linked to China. This case not only highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and China but also poses serious implications for US military operations. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this case and its broader context.
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What are the latest updates on US-Japan trade tensions and their impact?
As global trade tensions rise, particularly between the US, Japan, and China, many are left wondering how these developments will affect international markets and national security. This page addresses key questions surrounding the latest trade disputes, espionage cases, and tariff threats, providing clarity on these pressing issues.
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How Is the US Protecting Its Defense and Agriculture from Foreign Threats?
In recent months, the US has stepped up efforts to safeguard its military and agricultural assets from foreign espionage and influence. From new legislation to land protections near military bases, these measures aim to prevent adversaries like China and Russia from gaining access to sensitive information and critical infrastructure. Curious about what specific actions are being taken and what they mean for national security? Keep reading to find out.
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