Florida Stands Tall on China

The Paul Truesdell Podcast

Florida has become a focal point in the national debate over Chinese investments, particularly in agricultural land and real estate. Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, the state has taken a firm stance to restrict Chinese entities from acquiring agricultural land. Land acquisition near strategic infrastructures like military bases must never be allowed . This move, aimed at countering potential national security threats posed by foreign entities with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), reflects growing concerns across the U.S. about foreign influence in critical sectors.

Governor DeSantis articulated the state's position in a clear and firm manner, stating, The Chinese Communist Party, they’ve been gobbling up land all across the United States, but we’re not going to allow that to happen in the state of Florida.” This statement underscores the administration’s goal to prevent China from gaining undue control over strategic land assets, which could be leveraged to undermine the state’s security.

Echoing these sentiments, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized the importance of protecting the state's food supply and farmlands. Simpson noted that Allowing foreign adversaries like the CCP to control agricultural land in Florida is a direct threat to both our food security and national security." His support for DeSantis’ efforts reflects Florida’s resolve to safeguard essential resources from foreign entities that could use them for geopolitical advantage.

Additionally, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has been vocal in his criticism of the federal government's perceived inaction in curbing Chinese land acquisitions. He highlighted the risk posed by these investments, stating, “We can’t wait for the federal government to act. Florida has to take the lead in defending against threats like corporate espionage and intellectual property theft, and Chinese real estate investments are part of that equation.” Patronis’ support of DeSantis' policies reinforces the state’s commitment to safeguarding its economy and security from external influence.

These coordinated actions reflect broader national concerns about Chinese investments and foreign ownership of critical U.S. assets. With Governor DeSantis, Wilton Simpson, and Jimmy Patronis all advocating for protective measures, Florida stands as a leader in addressing these issues at the state level.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the vulnerabilities in our infrastructure, and it’s something that has started to really concern me. I mean, we’re not just talking about small, isolated issues here. This stuff is huge, and it’s right under our noses. Take transformers, for example. You know, those big green boxes outside your house? Yeah, I’m not talking about those. I’m talking about massive, industrial transformers that are so large they have to remove overpasses just to transport them. These things are crucial for the power grid, and if they’re compromised, we’re in serious trouble. I heard that if just nine of these transformers were taken out, it would plunge the entire U.S. into darkness. Nine. That’s all it would take to shut down the entire country’s power grid.