Emily Johnson During a rally in South Dakota, former President Donald Trump accused Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of supporting the Chinese communist regime to the detriment of American farmers. Trump claimed that while he protected farmers and ensured they received financial support, DeSantis opposed his efforts.
In 2018, during his campaign for Florida Governor, DeSantis expressed his dislike for farm subsidies, particularly those aimed at balancing the negative impact of retaliatory tariffs from the U.S.-China trade war. He emphasized his desire to move away from providing billions of dollars in subsidies, a stance he shared during an interview on Fox Business.
Later, as Governor, DeSantis took measures to prevent Chinese citizens from purchasing land in Florida. He signed bills with the intention of stopping Chinese agents from acquiring farmland near military bases and critical infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation aimed to prevent sensitive digital data from being stored in China and to counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) within the education system. DeSantis explicitly referred to the CCP as the United States’ greatest geopolitical threat.
In summary, Trump accused DeSantis of opposing his efforts to protect American farmers, while DeSantis justified his actions by emphasizing his aversion to farm subsidies and his commitment to countering China’s influence in various sectors within Florida.
