Fuyao Glass America, a Chinese-owned company based in Ohio, is reportedly working behind the scenes to oppose two bills (HB1 and SB88) being considered by the state legislature. The legislation aims to block entities from countries labeled as foreign adversaries by the Department of Defense from purchasing land or operating businesses in Ohio.
The bills are intended to protect farmland, military bases, and key infrastructure from foreign control. However, Democrats have fiercely opposed the proposals, calling them “racist” and even likening them to the Holocaust. They also claim the bills are meant to stop migrants from purchasing private homes — a claim not supported by the actual text of the legislation, which focuses on property near sensitive areas and critical infrastructure.
Fuyao Glass, which is already under federal investigation for alleged human trafficking and labor violations, is believed to be financially backing opposition to the bills. The company was spotlighted in an Oscar-winning Netflix documentary produced by Barack and Michelle Obama.
Testimony opposing the bills has come from Caixia Jin, a Chinese native and visa specialist for Fuyao Glass. Jin has accused the bills of promoting “racial profiling and housing discrimination.” She’s known for prioritizing foreign workers over American ones under the H-1B visa program.
Fuyao has also reportedly helped organize Democrat press events against the bills, working in coordination with several Asian advocacy groups.
Despite the opposition, the bills do not implement a statewide ban on property purchases by migrants or non-citizens. Instead, they apply targeted restrictions around military sites and other critical locations.
