North Dakota’s U-S Senators and a Florida senator want a U-S security agency to review the recent purchase of land in north Grand Forks by the Chinese food manufacturer, the Fufeng Group.
Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer (Thu) joined Marco Rubio, vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, in sending a letter to the Secretaries of Defense and the Treasury.
The senators want a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U-S (or “SEE-fee-us”), saying it would clarify whether the land purchase has national security implications. The letter says, in part, that “People’s Republic of China investments in the U-S demand scrutiny.”
On July 5th, an attorney with ties to CFIUS told the Grand Forks City Council that the agency was interested in the proposed corn milling project. She suggested that the city ask Fufeng to allow CFIUS to review its land transactions.
Bridget Reineking said CFIUS could find that the project is not in its jurisdiction. Or, if concerns arise, a longer review may result.
Citizen concerns about the project include the parent company’s ties to China… proximity of the land to the Grand Forks Air Force base… environmental issues… and annexation.
Supporters point to the economic development opportunities the project will bring to the region and the 200-some jobs the business will create.
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(Release from Sen. Hoeven’s office:)
Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer today joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and U.S. Treasury Department Secretary Janet Yellen requesting that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) conduct a review of the Chinese food manufacturer Fufeng Group’s recent purchase of land near Grand Forks, North Dakota. The senators believe that a full CFIUS review would clarify whether the purchase of this land, by Fufeng Group, carries national security implications.
“We note that local officials are seeking input from federal authorities about any national security implications of this project. Local officials have discussed the matter with the U.S. Air Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to published reports, they also have encouraged Fufeng to make a voluntary CFIUS filing,” the senators wrote. “People’s Republic of China investments in the United States demand scrutiny. We therefore urge you, through CFIUS, to determine whether this project has national security implications and inform us when such a review is completed.”
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(Full text of letter:)
July 14, 2022
The Honorable Janet Yellen
Secretary
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
The Honorable Lloyd Austin
Secretary
U.S. Department of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000
Dear Secretary Yellen and Secretary Austin:
We request that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) conduct a review of Chinese food manufacturer Fufeng Group’s recent purchase of roughly 370 acres of land near Grand Forks, North Dakota. Public reports suggest that CFIUS has expressed interest in this transaction and that the City of Grand Forks has requested the company make a voluntary filing with CFIUS. We believe that a full CFIUS review would clarify whether the purchase of this land, by Fufeng Group, carries national security implications.
In November 2021, the City of Grand Forks announced that Fufeng Group had selected the municipality as the location for its new wet corn mill. The Chinese company, known for its monosodium glutamate production within the People’s Republic of China (PRC), purchased 370 acres in Grand Forks’ agribusiness park. This property is approximately 12 miles from Grand Forks Air Force Base, which has led to concern that Fufeng operations could provide cover for
PRC surveillance or interference with the missions located at that installation, given Fufeng Group’s reported ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
We note that local officials are seeking input from federal authorities about any national security implications of this project. Local officials have discussed the matter with the U.S. Air Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to published reports, they also have encouraged Fufeng to make a voluntary CFIUS filing.
PRC investments in the United States demand scrutiny. We therefore urge you, through CFIUS, to determine whether this project has national security implications and inform us when such a review is completed.
Sincerely,
Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator
John Hoeven, U.S. Senator
Kevin Cramer, U.S. Senator
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