Urges Treasury Department to Investigate Foreign Acquisition of Knob Noster Trailer Park

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) wrote to the Department of the Treasury to request a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) of the 2017 foreign acquisition of the Knob Noster Trailer Park by owners with alleged ties to Chinese intelligence, located less than one mile away from Whiteman Air Force Base's northern perimeter.

Senator Schmitt began: "I write to highlight a matter of significant national security concern and encourage urgent attention by the Department of the Treasury and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Specifically, I wish to bring to your attention a 2017 foreign acquisition of real estate located directly adjacent to Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri, for potential CFIUS review."

Senator Schmitt wrote: "A recent investigation revealed that the Knob Noster Trailer Park, situated less than one mile from the Whiteman Air Force Base's northern perimeter, is owned-through layers of intricately webbed corporate entities-by individuals with ties to Chinese intelligence operations. The proximity of this property to one of the United States's most sensitive military installations raises immediate concerns regarding surveillance, electronic interference, and espionage. And it appears that the parties never alerted CFIUS of this transaction and that the Committee has not yet reviewed it."

Senator Schmitt continued: "Fortunately, CFIUS is not without recourse. In the event CFIUS is not notified of a transaction to review before consummation, federal law empowers CFIUS to conduct a retroactive review of any "covered real estate transaction" where national security may be at risk. One type of covered transaction involves real estate located in "close proximity"-meaning within one mile-to designated military installations."

Senator Schmitt concluded: "I appreciate your continued leadership on economic and national security issues and stand ready to support any action necessary to safeguard Whiteman Air Force Base and other sensitive sites from adversarial encroachment."

Read the full letter HERE.

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