Although it’s not often that I would applaud an American leader following Justin Trudeau’s lead, in this instance, I will.

Tuesday saw Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hold his first news conference as a second-term governor. DeSantis spoke from Coconut Jack’s Waterfront Grille, Bonita Springs Florida, and addressed the importance of “protecting Florida” and detailed the state’s plans to conserve the environment.

Gov. DeSantis Unveils the Future of Conservation in Florida https://t.co/NojvKw7MZH

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 10, 2023

DeSantis expressed a desire to “leave Florida to God better” and signed the executive order.

Over four years, pledge $3.5 billion for conservation

Directs DEP in identifying and prioritizing strategies to speed up water quality restoration in Indian River Lagoon

Directs DEP and legislature to collaborate on expanding the wastewater grant program to include non-point sources of water and agricultural runoff

South Florida Water Management District directs Everglades restoration projects to be completed quickly, including those that lower the risk of harmful discharges

DeSantis also addressed conservation efforts and the recent trend of Chinese investors “buying up land” in the Sunshine State. DeSantis noted the Marxist-Leninist turn of Xi Jinping as President of the CCP and expressed a desire for China to stop its purchase of farmland and residential properties. According to WFLA

DeSantis stated that “Obviously if someone comes in and buys, that’s not the CCP signing this, these holding companies and all that.” “But no, we don’t need to have CCP influence Florida’s economy,” DeSantis said noting that Florida had already banned the Confucius Institute at Florida colleges and universities in order to avoid its influence and that there should be a mechanism to stop it.

DeSantis stated that “they’ve used these Confucius Institutes throughout the country to bring propaganda, as though universities don’t already have enough problems.” “We have also done things that limit their ability to fund research at our universities. I believe we’re going further than that, as the legislature only got so far a few years ago. I believe there’s an eagerness to do more,” he said, referring to their “insidious” influence and how Disney and Wall Street would alter policies and things to placate CCP.

We have previously discussed the Chinese purchase of in the U.S. of farmland. Mike Miller pointed out in July that:

Deborah J. Comstock describes herself as a “girl farmer” but she is actually a farmer. She wrote a 2020 opinion ed for Ionia Sentinel.

China’s Communist Party authorities have specific strategies for investing in agriculture abroad and increasing control over oilseeds and grain products. They also propose policies to support agricultural production and create large multinational grain-trading conglomerates.

These productions’ revenues do not flow through American commodity markets, but rather through foreign entities’ distribution channels and directly to the country of origin.

This. Is. Insane. Although Communist China’s ownership in America of farmland is only a small fraction of the total U.S. farmland, which is approximately 900 million acres, it is an increasing trend for the ChiComs. Shocked? Me, neither. The question is:

Why is it that we are selling any American land or industry to CHINA

As the “girl farmer”, it is amazing that many states don’t have regulations in place to prevent such sales.

DeSantis seems to be able to see the bigger picture and observes: “It is a larger issue. It’s one. I think we are a big fish now. I believe we have the 13th-largest economy in the world. If we were our country in Florida, you’d know that we’re a force for reckoning with. DeSantis acknowledged the dangers of being too closely tied with China economically.

DeSantis said that COVID was a disaster and people needed all the supplies. I believe 100 percent of it was manufactured in China. What good is it to depend on a hostile country for essential items that we need for our security and quality of life?

What role does Justin Trudeau play in this conversation? The Daily Mail reports that Canada has banned foreign investors from real estate.

To cool down the overheated housing market, Trudeau had earlier this year banned foreign investors from buying homes in Canada. The majority of Canada’s foreign investors come from India and China. The ban was in effect since January 1.

Trudeau implemented the ban in response to an increase of 38 percent in property prices due to immigrants. According to census data, 23% of the population is now immigrants. Most are from Asia. This has led many industry experts to suggest that there may be a connection.

Canada is not the only one that has noticed this land gobbling.

Florida’s governor is similar to other countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada which have imposed taxes on foreign buyers who purchase the property.

New Zealand, home to Chinese investment, has seen a significant rise in property prices. Non-resident buyers now pay a 15% tax.

Australia has imposed a 12.6 percent tax since 2017 on foreign buyers who purchase homes worth more than $750,000. Canada also imposes a 12.6 percent tax on foreign buyers who purchase homes worth more than $750,000. This has been in effect since 2017.

According to the Wharton Business Journal of UPenn, however, the US does not impose any tax restrictions on foreign buyers.

Maybe Ron DeSantis’ latest move will set a precedent. It draws attention to the issue at a minimum.