The Trump administration wants to counter China dominance in industry through fees, investments, and reforms.
The Trump administration unveiled a comprehensive Maritime Action Plan on Feb. 13 meant to resurrect the U.S. shipbuilding sector, which has dwindled since World War II and has now fallen far behind China and other global competitors.
The 30-page-plus document details a strategy that includes the establishment of maritime prosperity zones to attract investment, reforms to workforce training and education programs, and growth of the U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged commercial fleet, creation of a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed partly by port fees on Chinese-made ships, and a decrease in regulatory burdens.
In April 2025, the administration announced port fees on Chinese-built ships, starting at $50 per net ton of cargo in mid-October 2025 and increasing annually to $140 per net ton by 2028. The measure was projected to create $3.2 billion annually from ships entering U.S. ports.
China answered on Oct. 10, 2025, implementing its own fees of 400 yuan ($56) per net ton on U.S.-owned, operated, or flagged ships docking at Chinese ports. Rates rise each year.
The two largest economies came to a mutual agreement in late 2025 to suspend the fees for 12 months, until October 2026.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer cautioned Beijing in October 2025 against further action after China had sanctioned five U.S.-tied subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean for aiding the U.S. investigations into Chinese practices.
“Attempts at intimidation will not stop the United States from rebuilding its shipbuilding base,” Greer said at the time.
Shipyard owners, investors, and bipartisan lawmakers celebrated the Feb. 13 announcement, which came later than anticipated.
The strategy resembles the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, reintroduced last year by Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
“The announcement today should serve as a wake-up call for Congress to act quickly on this bill in order to provide the legal authorities and resources necessary to make this plan a reality,” Young said in an X post. “It’s time to make American ships again.”
