Gordon Chang Raises Alarm Over Chinese Researcher Smuggling Fungus, Sparks Agroterrorism Debate

American author and China expert Gordon Chang has sparked widespread concern by suggesting that the alleged smuggling of a toxic crop fungus from China to the United States could pose a greater threat than the COVID-19 pandemic. Chang, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, made the statement following the arrest of a University of Michigan researcher and her boyfriend—both of Chinese origin—for allegedly attempting to bring Fusarium graminearum, a dangerous plant pathogen, into the U.S.

The FBI has accused the duo of being part of a wider attempt to sabotage American agriculture using biological agents. Chang linked the incident to a larger pattern of aggression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), arguing that Beijing could be deploying “Mao-style tactics” to gradually undermine the West.

“This appears to be the use of biological weapons,” Chang posted on X (formerly Twitter), referencing a May 2019 editorial in People’s Daily that he interprets as China’s declaration of a “people’s war” on the West. He also controversially called for the suspects to be detained at Guantanamo Bay and urged the U.S. to sever diplomatic ties with China.

However, agricultural experts have downplayed the threat, noting that Fusarium graminearum is already present in U.S. fields and is not considered a major biosecurity hazard. “It’s treatable and rarely poses a threat to food safety,” one scientist told News18.

Chang’s warning comes amid mounting tensions between Washington and Beijing, fueled by disputes over trade, cyber security, and national security concerns. His strong rhetoric has divided public opinion—some see it as alarmist, while others believe it raises essential awareness about agroterrorism and biowarfare.

The incident has reignited debates around biosecurity, food safety, and the future of U.S.-China relations as investigations continue into the motivations behind the attempted smuggling.