The US wants a Chinese-linked firm to sell its land. The land is located near a military base.
MineOne Partners Limited has bought property near the US Air Force base in Wyoming. It is owned by Chinese nationals.
The company bought the real estate in June 2022.
The White House said the proximity of the company to a strategic missile base was worrisome. It said it was “capable of facilitating surveillance and espionage activities.”
“It presents a national security risk to the United States.”
The property is located within one mile (1.6 kilometers) of Wyoming-based Francis E. Warren Air Force Base.
The US action comes after other reported cases of Chinese companies found to be spying.
The US and China had a spat over Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei in 2022. Washington had accused Huawei of spying.
The Biden administration had put 23 Chinese entities in 2023 on a trade restrictions list.
MineOne Partners has not commented so far.
The MineOne Partners deal was reviewed by CFIUS. This is a panel led by the Treasury Department. It scrutinises foreign investment in the US for national security risks.
A 2018 law expanded CFIUS’s authority to review foreign acquisitions.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement that the move on Monday highlighted “the critical gatekeeper role that CFIUS performed.”
(REUTERS)
