In a major push to restore America’s shipbuilding legacy and counter China’s grip on global maritime trade, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at revitalizing U.S. shipyards and strengthening national maritime security.

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“We’re way, way, way behind,” Trump declared from the Oval Office. “We used to build a ship a day—now we hardly build one a year. But we have the capacity to do it.”

The executive order, which must be finalized by April 17, sets in motion a broad maritime industrial strategy. It grants the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) authority to advance plans for million-dollar port docking fees targeting vessels flagged or built in China—a move designed to disrupt Beijing’s foothold in U.S. ports.

While the USTR initially proposed sweeping penalties, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer clarified that not all measures will be implemented as originally outlined. “This could have been a miscommunication. Some thought all those measures would come into effect. Now we’re evaluating what’s most appropriate,” said Greer.

The order also opens the door for tariffs on ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and cargo-handling equipment tied to Chinese firms or components. These proposals are paired with enforcement directives for the Department of Homeland Security, which will tighten collection of Harbor Maintenance fees and crack down on routing schemes designed to sidestep these charges.

To fund this revitalization, the order calls for the creation of a Maritime Security Trust Fund, designed to ensure stable financial backing for programs that strengthen U.S. shipbuilding capacity. The fund will also encourage private sector investment in dry docks, repair facilities, and commercial maritime infrastructure.

Lawmakers from both parties expressed support. Senators Mark Kelly (D) and Todd Young (R) confirmed plans to reintroduce bipartisan legislation to facilitate congressional approvals tied to the order’s implementation.

Once a world leader, the U.S. shipbuilding sector has declined significantly since the 1970s, bogged down by high production costs and a complex regulatory framework. That decline has left the field open for global competitors—especially China, which now dominates global ship output.

China’s Foreign Ministry pushed back strongly. Spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the U.S. move as political posturing:

“China’s shipbuilding industry has thrived through innovation and fair market competition,” Lin stated.

As part of his broader maritime agenda, Trump recently appointed Louis E. “Lou” Sola as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), signaling a continued focus on reasserting U.S. influence in global shipping.