Heads of four prominent labor unions have recently urged President Trump to strengthen American shipbuilding and implement strict penalties against China due to its growing influence in the industry. These union leaders, representing the United Steelworkers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, contend that China’s actions have detrimental effects on both American workers and the nation’s security.
In a correspondence addressed to Trump, they advocated for the enforcement of rigorous measures against ships constructed under the directives of the Chinese Communist Party. They also called for policies designed to revitalize the shipbuilding industry within the United States, along with its workforce. The unions had previously submitted a petition to the Biden administration, seeking to tackle China’s influence in shipbuilding through Section 301 of the 1974 U.S. Trade Act, which could potentially facilitate the implementation of tariffs and other regulatory actions.
The unions highlighted alarming statistics, pointing out that in 2023, China produced over 1,000 ocean-going vessels while the U.S. managed to construct fewer than ten. They emphasized that between 2010 and 2018, the Chinese shipbuilding sector received over $100 billion in government backing, enabling Chinese shipyards to capture the majority of global orders last year.
Brian Bryant, president of the machinists and aerospace workers union and a shipyard worker at Bath Iron Works in Maine, expressed his concerns regarding the harsh repercussions of China’s aggressive strategies on the domestic shipbuilding industry. He stated, “I have witnessed the severe consequences facing our industry, including job cuts, yard closures, and a significant reduction in our shipbuilding capabilities.”
Throughout his presidency, Trump has made enhancing control over the Panama Canal and revisiting global trade conditions through tariffs a priority. However, many of his trade-related accusations have largely been directed toward U.S. allies like Canada, Mexico, and the EU, even as he has instituted a 10% tariff on goods imported from China due to its involvement in the opioid fentanyl crisis.
The White House has acknowledged that it is contemplating various strategies to counteract China’s practices in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding arenas. Earlier this year, Trump hinted at the potential for revitalizing American shipbuilding during an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, where he remarked, “We don’t build ships anymore. We want to get that started, and perhaps we’ll involve our allies in the process.”
In a recent interview on Fox News Channel, Trump reiterated his concerns over the decline in U.S. shipbuilding and his desire to reverse this trend. He observed, “We don’t produce ships like we used to. It used to be common to build a ship a day, whereas now, constructing a single ship is a significant challenge. We are determined to restore this country’s manufacturing strength.”
