Posted by Mare | Maritime Policy & Security

A New Push for Maritime Dominance

On April 9, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance.”
The move marks a major step toward rebuilding the U.S. commercial shipbuilding industry, enhancing maritime workforce development, and countering foreign influence—particularly from China

Key Golals of the Executive Order

1. A National Maritime Action Plan (MAP)

Within 210 days, the U.S. government will publish a MAP.

It will include strategies to grow shipbuilding, repair capacity, port infrastructure, and logistics capabilities.

2. Investigating China’s Maritime Strategy

The order directs agencies to assess how China uses its shipbuilding and logistics industries to expand global influence.

Tariffs and trade enforcement actions may be introduced in response.

3. Strengthening Customs Oversight

The U.S. will close loopholes in Harbor Maintenance Fee collection.

All foreign cargo will face stricter Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement.

Why This Matters

The U.S. currently builds less than 1% of the world’s commercial ships.

In contrast, China builds nearly 50%—a gap the Executive Order aims to reduce.

National security, economic independence, and supply chain resilience are at the core of the strategy.

Mare’s View

“Maritime power is not just about ships— it’s about sovereignty.”

This Executive Order is more than a policy move.
It signals a reawakening of U.S. maritime strategy in a time of shifting global tides.

Coming Soon:
How this policy could impact Korean shipyards and global trade—stay tuned on MarePress.