Ayotte Moves Quickly to Block Future Chinese Deals in New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — Governor Kelly Ayotte (R-Nashua) moved decisively this week to prevent foreign adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran from purchasing property or accessing state data systems, signing two new executive orders designed to strengthen state protections against foreign influence and cybersecurity risks.

The action follows growing concern over recent revelations that a Chinese bottling company quietly acquired a facility in Nashua with the help of state officials before Ayotte took office.

“China, Russia, Iran and other countries like them should not be doing business in the State of New Hampshire — it’s as simple as that,” Ayotte said in a statement Monday. “We must do everything we can to protect our state from foreign adversaries, and it starts with making sure they cannot access sensitive data, do business, or purchase property here.”

The pair of orders — Executive Orders 2025-04 and 2025-05 — expand on legislation enacted earlier this year banning “foreign principals” from regime-affiliated nations from owning or controlling property in the state.

Executive Order 2025-04 prohibits the use of technology, software, or cloud services produced by adversarial nations. It directs the Department of Information Technology to identify and block high-risk hardware and software originating from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, and requires regular updates to a public list of banned technologies.

Executive Order 2025-05 focuses on land ownership and government transactions. It requires all state entities and employees to report any known or proposed real-estate transactions involving foreign nationals or companies tied to those same nations. The order directs the Department of Justice to issue compliance guidance and ensure that no state-owned real estate is ever sold or leased to a foreign adversary.

Both orders took effect immediately upon signing.

Ayotte’s office said the measures were prompted by “recent attempts by foreign-linked companies to establish a foothold in New Hampshire.” The Nashua case, in which Chinese conglomerate Nongfu Spring secured a facility through an intermediary while seeking to expand into the U.S. market, has fueled bipartisan concern over foreign land ownership.

The governor’s swift action aligns New Hampshire with a growing list of states restricting real estate transactions involving foreign governments or state-connected entities. Florida, Texas, and North Dakota have already enacted similar laws.

Ayotte’s move also marks a sharp contrast with the state’s previous administration, which faced criticism for failing to vet the Nongfu Spring deal and for using state development officials to facilitate the transaction.

Under the new orders, state agencies will be required to report any red flags directly to the Department of Justice and maintain ongoing vigilance against foreign influence.

“Governor Ayotte’s message is clear,” said one senior official familiar with the rollout. “New Hampshire will not be a soft target for foreign interests, especially those that threaten U.S. security or economic independence.”

The new restrictions are expected to shape future investment policy in the state, ensuring that economic development efforts prioritize transparency and national security — a message Ayotte has echoed repeatedly since taking office.

202504-an-order-prohibiting-use-of-certain-foreign-technologies.pdf

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202505-an-order-regarding-foreign-principles-and-countries-of-concern.pdf

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