The Bipartisan Support for Rebuilding U.S. Shipbuilding

U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding are gaining rare bipartisan support among Americans, with a recent poll revealing that 72% believe the U.S. should not rely on China and other foreign producers to build ships. The poll, conducted by Morning Consult for the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), highlighted concerns about China’s dominance in the $150 billion global ocean shipping industry and its implications for U.S. national security.

According to the survey of 2,204 adults, only 11% believe that the U.S. can depend on China and other countries to meet its commercial and military shipbuilding needs. AAM President Scott Paul noted the bipartisan consensus on the issue, stating that there is strong support on Capitol Hill for advancing shipbuilding initiatives.

The AAM, a policy group led by the United Steelworkers union and domestic manufacturers, released the poll ahead of a hearing by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on proposed remedies to address China’s dominance in the maritime sector. These remedies include imposing fees on Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports and requiring a percentage of U.S. exports to be shipped on U.S.-flagged vessels.

The Trump administration’s proposed remedies, announced following a fast-track investigation initiated by the Biden administration, aim to counter China’s unfair domination of global maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. The investigation, conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, was launched in response to a request from several unions seeking to revive the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

While the China Shipowners’ Association has opposed the U.S. proposal, citing violations of international rules and U.S. laws, public support for the measures remains strong. The poll revealed that a majority of Americans view shipbuilding as a matter of national security and support government investment in the industry.

Additionally, a significant percentage of respondents expressed support for measures such as implementing docking fees on Chinese vessels, requiring U.S. exports to be transported on U.S.-built vessels, and using U.S.-built floating docks for military vessel maintenance.

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order in the coming weeks based on the USTR recommendations, which would impose fees on imports arriving on Chinese-made ships and provide tax credits to boost domestic shipbuilding efforts.

Overall, the bipartisan support for rebuilding U.S. shipbuilding reflects a shared concern about reducing reliance on foreign producers and strengthening national security in the maritime industry.