Nikki Haley Accused of Misleading Claims about Land Sale to China

Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is facing criticism for allegedly misleading attendees at one of her town hall events regarding the sale of land to China during her time as the governor of South Carolina. The liberal Washington Post’s fact-checker, Glenn Kessler, awarded Haley “four Pinocchios” for her response to a question about selling land to China.

During the town hall, an audience member asked Haley about an internet rumor stating that she had sold thousands of acres of land to China. Haley responded by saying, “Don’t believe what you read on the internet… We didn’t sell any land to the Chinese.” However, Kessler countered this claim, stating that Haley had indeed recruited Chinese companies to invest in South Carolina, resulting in a significant increase in Chinese capital investment in the state.

According to Kessler, Chinese companies received approximately 1,500 acres of land during Haley’s tenure as governor, with much of it being acquired through land sales. The specific fiberglass company mentioned in the town hall question, China Jushi, received nearly 200 acres of county-owned land for free in exchange for promised investments.

Kessler described Haley’s response as a “political sleight of hand” and accused her of denying something she wasn’t asked. He emphasized that while the fiberglass deal did not involve the direct sale of land, the company did receive land free of charge with certain conditions. Kessler also highlighted other Chinese companies that purchased land in South Carolina during Haley’s time as governor.

Haley defended her actions by stating that attracting Chinese business was a common practice for governors across the country and that Chinese products are found in households nationwide. However, Kessler argued that there is a difference between promoting economic growth and jeopardizing national security.

The Haley campaign declined to comment on the town hall statements on the record but provided a statement defending her position on China. The statement emphasized the pervasive influence of China’s investments in the United States and highlighted the need to address potential security threats.

These allegations against Haley come at a time when many politicians, including President Biden, have expressed concerns about China’s behavior and its impact on national security. Haley’s hawkish stance on China has become a significant part of her campaign platform.

In conclusion, Nikki Haley is facing criticism for allegedly misleading the audience at one of her town halls by denying the sale of land to China during her time as South Carolina’s governor. While the specific fiberglass deal in question did not involve a direct sale, Chinese companies did acquire land in the state during Haley’s tenure. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about the relationship between Chinese investments, economic growth, and national security concerns.