US Congress is actively exploring a package of tariffs, port fees, and sanctions aimed at China's shipbuilding industry, seeking to reverse the decline of America's commercial fleet.
Lawmakers are weighing measures designed to curb Beijing's rapid expansion in global shipbuilding capacity while attempting to avoid passing excessive costs onto US consumers.
The legislative push reflects growing frustration in Washington over the strategic vulnerability of relying on foreign-built vessels for critical trade and energy transport.
The proposed measures come as US-China economic relations remain strained, with Beijing recently pledging to protect its companies from potential US tariffs linked to Russian energy purchases.
China has also imposed export controls on ten US defense and rare earths firms, signaling a willingness to escalate trade friction.
The new shipbuilding focus adds another layer to the ongoing trade dispute, potentially impacting global shipping rates and energy supply chains.