A recent business deal involving a well-known American food brand has sparked new concerns from a local lawmaker about foreign influence in New York.
Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan says the $450 million sale of Nathan’s Famous to Smithfield Foods — a company ultimately tied to interests linked to the People’s Republic of China — alarmed many New Yorkers who see the brand as part of America’s heritage .
In a column released Thursday, Gallahan argues the sale goes beyond a routine corporate transaction. He claims foreign ownership raises questions about sourcing, quality standards, and long-term priorities once decisions move outside the United States.
Gallahan also points to what he describes as a broader trend of foreign adversaries gaining control of American brands, land, and assets. He says that trend carries economic and security risks, especially when properties sit near critical infrastructure or farmland.
In response, Gallahan introduced Assembly Bill A.9031. The proposal would prohibit the sale or lease of real property in New York to the Chinese Communist Party, the People’s Republic of China, or affiliated entities.
The bill would also give the state attorney general authority to block or reverse transactions that violate the law.
Gallahan says real property should not be treated like an ordinary commodity. He argues land plays a central role in food security, economic stability, and public safety.
The assemblyman frames the proposal as a way to protect New York’s land, businesses, and long-term interests from what he describes as foreign governments with opaque intentions.
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