President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday to rebuild America's shipbuilding industry and curb China's influence in global shipping, declaring the U.S. would spend "massive amounts on shipbuilding" to restore naval supremacy.

Key Provisions of the Maritime EO:

1. Industrial Revival Plan

   • Mandates a roadmap to rebuild sustainable U.S. maritime industrial capacity

   • Directs Defense Secretary to leverage Defense Production Act authorities for shipyard investments

2. Trade Countermeasures

   • Requires USTR to recommend actions against China's anti-competitive shipbuilding practices

   • Orders DHS to enforce port maintenance fees on foreign goods, including those transshipped via Canada/Mexico

3. Arctic Security Strategy

   • Develops plan to secure Arctic waterways against foreign encroachment

4. New White House Office

   • Establishes National Maritime Industry Capabilities Office within NSC

Presidential Remarks

"For decades, China has exploited unfair practices to dominate global shipping while America's fleet decayed. Today, we reclaim our maritime destiny," Trump stated during the Oval Office signing ceremony.

White House Fact Sheet Highlights:

• "Ending Chronic Trade Abuse": Closes loopholes in maritime fee collection

• Revenue Recycling: New tariffs to fund domestic shipbuilding

• Allied Coordination: Aligns trade policies to disrupt China's non-market logistics practices

Strategic Context

• Current Crisis: U.S. controls <0.4% of global commercial fleet vs. China's 50%

• Military-Civil Fusion: Addresses Pentagon warnings about reliance on Chinese-built vessels

• Projected Impact: 15,000+ new shipbuilding jobs; $1.2B initial investment