In yet another episode of the increasingly strained US-China relations, a new drama unfolded on Capitol Hill, where several US lawmakers sent a letter to the Biden administration, urging it to address what they see as a growing “threat” from Chinese-manufactured agricultural drones. According to these lawmakers, these drones-designed to dispense aerosols and monitor crops-pose a security risk to the United States. Their concerns range from the far-fetched claim that these drones could collect crop data “impossible for the human eye to see” to the idea that they may access technologies critical to the success of American agriculture.

Such assertions reflect a worrying trend in US politics: an absurd anti-China narrative devoid of substance or evidence, frequently targeting anything even remotely connected to China. The baseless accusations leveled against these agricultural drones underscore a broader trend of paranoia and misinformation that has long plagued parts of Washington.

The sheer ignorance on display by these lawmakers is alarming. It’s unclear whether any of them have even seen agricultural drones in action. Agricultural drones, particularly those manufactured in China, are widely used in the US due to their affordability and efficiency. These machines provide critical services to American farmers, helping monitor crops, disperse nutrients, and optimize yields. Yet, they’ve now been absurdly classified as a “threat” by politicians more focused on political posturing than practical realities.

To dismiss this outlandish fearmongering, one only needs to look at the longstanding cooperation between China and the US in agricultural technology. The two countries have worked together on numerous scientific and agricultural initiatives for decades, rooted in the US-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. Professor Karen Mancl of Ohio State University has highlighted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, over 2,100 US agricultural scientists have visited China, and an equal number of Chinese scientists have toured US farms. These exchanges have helped both nations rise to global prominence as agricultural superpowers.

Moreover, during the 2024 US-China Agricultural Roundtable held in June, experts from both nations acknowledged the vast potential for further collaboration in agricultural technology. The use of advanced technologies, like drones, was one of the many areas where mutual benefits were recognized. It is precisely this collaborative spirit that some in Washington seek to undermine, not for the sake of security, but as a misguided attempt to fuel political tensions.

Agriculture has traditionally been one of the least politicized sectors when it comes to great power competition. However, recent years have seen US lawmakers digging for perceived “security risks” in this field, making claims that range from China purchasing American agricultural land to stealing genetically modified seeds. The latest target-Chinese agricultural drones-is a continuation of this pattern.

These security fears are part of a broader narrative that has seen mundane products such as Chinese-made magnets for fighter jets and cranes at US ports described as national security threats. Each of these claims has been shown to lack substance, yet they persist because they serve a political purpose: to sustain the anti-China rhetoric that has permeated Washington.

But why agriculture? The answer lies in the desperation of certain US politicians to continuously justify their exaggerated warnings of a “China threat.” With little actual evidence to support these claims, they have turned to less conventional sectors, such as agriculture, to keep the narrative alive.

The real problem, however, is not the empty rhetoric itself but the solutions proposed by these lawmakers. Often, these “solutions” involve increased trade barriers, higher tariffs, and in extreme cases, complete decoupling from China. This has already had detrimental effects on industries far removed from the political squabbles of Capitol Hill.

During the 2018-2020 US-China trade war, American farmers experienced devastating financial losses due to tariffs and disrupted markets. A report by *Newsweek* warned that any new tariffs on Chinese goods, especially those related to agriculture, would be “perilously misguided.” The publication emphasized that another trade war with China is the last thing American agriculture can afford.

Despite these warnings, politicians continue to propose solutions that hurt ordinary American farmers the most. For instance, the US once planned to impose a 25 percent tariff on Chinese-made ship-to-shore cranes. But after fierce opposition from industry experts, it became evident that if the US went ahead with the tariffs, ports would have no choice but to buy cranes from China at higher prices or settle for lower-quality alternatives. A similar situation could arise if agricultural drones are targeted next.

In 2023 alone, agricultural drones sprayed over 3.7 million acres across 41 states in the US, covering more than 50 different crops. These drones, mostly manufactured in China, are invaluable to American farmers. If sanctions were imposed on Chinese agricultural drones, the results would be disastrous: farmers would have to choose between more expensive alternatives or inferior domestic options. Either way, American agriculture would suffer.

The demand for Chinese drones in the US remains robust, not only in agriculture but across various industries. Public safety agencies, including police and fire departments, use Chinese drones for critical operations. Over 6,000 public safety representatives recently urged the Senate Armed Services Committee to avoid including the Countering CCP Drones Act in the National Defense Authorization Act, arguing that it would harm essential drone programs. In the end, the restrictions were canceled, demonstrating the strong resistance to the politicization of drone technology.

At its core, agriculture should not be dragged into the political fray. The global community looks to China and the US, as the world’s largest agricultural producers, for cooperation on issues such as climate change, food security, and disease management. And indeed, within the US, many recognize the importance of collaboration. Professor Mancl has pointed out that US and Chinese agricultural scientists are eager to continue working together. She emphasized that the success of the past 50 years underscores the need for ongoing collaboration.

Agricultural drones, particularly those made in China, have the potential to enhance this collaboration and foster innovation. Rather than allowing outdated Cold War mentalities to dictate policy, Washington should focus on strengthening ties and reaping the mutual benefits of agricultural technology exchanges. After all, the goal should be food security and agricultural sustainability, not divisive political grandstanding.

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