Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte requesting an update on Chinese investments in Brazil’s agriculture sector. Communist China’s investment in global agriculture attempts to bypass the American supply chain, threatening Arkansas farmers and food security.
In part, Senator Cotton wrote:
“China’s growing footprint in global agriculture is a deliberate, strategic effort to dominate food production and supply chains in ways that threatens American farmers and food security. Chinese state-backed money is remaking the hemisphere’s ports and reshaping grain routes to Asia. For states like Arkansas, where agriculture is the number one industry, the consequences are real. Chinese state owned companies now have direct access to Brazilian farmers, purchasing their soybeans and overseeing the entire commercialization chain, including storage and transport to China, effectively locking in a supply chain that bypasses American producers entirely.”
Full text of the letter may be found here and below.
July 20, 2026
The Honorable William Pulte
Acting Director of National Intelligence
Office of the Director of National Intelligence
1500 Tysons McLean Dr.
McLean, VA 22102
Dear Acting Director Pulte:
I write regarding the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) assessment and report on Chinese investments in Brazil’s agriculture sector.
President Trump signed the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2026 into law on December 18, 2025. This legislation required the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Secretary of State and Secretary of Agriculture, to assess the extent of Chinese investment in Brazil's agricultural sector no later than 60 days after enactment. It also required ODNI to submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees no later than 90 days after enactment. This assessment was due February 16, 2026, and the report was due to Congress by March 18, 2026.
China’s growing footprint in global agriculture is a deliberate, strategic effort to dominate food production and supply chains in ways that threatens American farmers and food security. Chinese state-backed money is remaking the hemisphere’s ports and reshaping grain routes to Asia. For states like Arkansas, where agriculture is the number one industry, the consequences are real. Chinese state owned companies now have direct access to Brazilian farmers, purchasing their soybeans and overseeing the entire commercialization chain, including storage and transport to China, effectively locking in a supply chain that bypasses American producers entirely.
Brazil's climate compounds the threat. A second annual corn crop, planted right after soybean harvest, lets Brazilian farmers spread land and equipment costs across two harvests instead of one. This allows Brazil to undercut U.S. prices, giving China an increasingly attractive alternative to American grain. As American farmers continue to face rising input costs, volatile markets, and increasing competition from foreign-subsidized agriculture, understanding the full scope of Chinese investment in Brazil's agricultural sector is vital to Arkansas farmers.
I therefore request an update on the status of this assessment and report.
I look forward to working together to ensure this critical report reaches Congress without further delay.
Sincerely,
Tom Cotton
United States Senator
