A Call to Action: Labor Unions Urge Trump to Revitalize American Shipbuilding
In a bold move to address the declining state of American shipbuilding, the leaders of four major labor unions have called on President Donald Trump to take decisive action. The presidents of the United Steelworkers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have joined forces to urge the President to impose stricter penalties on China and invest in rebuilding America’s shipbuilding capacity. Their plea comes amid growing concerns over China’s dominance in the global shipbuilding industry, which they argue has severely hurt American workers and compromised national security.
The Unions’ Appeal: Tough Penalties and Rebuilding American Capacity
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, the union leaders pressed Trump to “impose tough penalties against vessels built according to the plans, policies, and actions of the Chinese Communist Party” and to adopt policies that would revitalize America’s shipbuilding sector. They emphasized the need for a robust response to China’s aggressive expansion in the industry, which has left the U.S. lagging far behind. The letter also highlighted the unions’ earlier efforts under President Joe Biden, where they filed a petition under Section 301 of the 1974 U.S. Trade Act, seeking tariffs and other measures to counter China’s unfair practices. The unions believe that strong penalties and complementary policies are essential to level the playing field and restore America’s competitive edge.
The Alarming State of the Shipbuilding Industry
The statistics presented in the letter paint a stark picture of the disparity between China and the United States in shipbuilding. In 2023, China manufactured over 1,000 ocean-going vessels, while the U.S. produced fewer than 10 ships. This staggering gap is further exacerbated by the massive government support China’s shipbuilding industry has received—over $100 billion between 2010 and 2018. As a result, Chinese shipyards now account for the majority of global orders, leaving American shipyards struggling to compete. The unions argue that this imbalance not only harms American workers but also undermines national security by eroding the country’s ability to build and maintain its naval and commercial fleets.
A Decades-Long Decline: The Human Cost of China’s Predatory Practices
The impact of China’s dominance in shipbuilding is not just economic; it has had a devastating human cost. Brian Bryant, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and a shipyard worker at Bath Iron Works in Maine, shared his firsthand experience of the industry’s decline. “For decades, we’ve seen everything from layoffs to shipyard closures to atrophy of our domestic shipbuilding industrial base,” Bryant said. His words underscore the broader struggle of American workers in the face of China’s predatory practices, which have led to the decline of an industry once considered a cornerstone of American manufacturing.
Trump’s Trade Agenda: A Mixed Approach to Addressing the Crisis
President Trump has long championed the idea of resetting global trade terms, often with a focus on imposing tariffs and penalizing unfair practices. While he has taken steps to address China’s role in the opioid crisis by imposing an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports, much of his trade rhetoric has been directed at U.S. allies like Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. However, recent comments suggest that Trump is beginning to recognize the importance of revitalizing American shipbuilding. In a January interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump expressed a desire to restart shipbuilding in the U.S., even hinting at the possibility of collaborating with allies to achieve this goal. In a subsequent Fox News interview, he lamented the decline of American shipbuilding, stating, “We don’t build ships anymore. We want to get that started.”
The Path Forward: A Call to Rebuild and Restore
The unions’ letter and Trump’s recent remarks highlight a growing consensus on the need to address the decline of American shipbuilding. However, the path forward remains uncertain. The unions are urging Trump to take concrete steps to penalize China’s unfair practices and invest in rebuilding America’s shipbuilding capacity. At the same time, Trump’s approach to trade and manufacturing has often been unpredictable, leaving many to wonder whether his administration will follow through on these promises. For now, the unions’ call to action serves as a reminder of the urgent need to revitalize an industry that is not only crucial to American workers but also to the nation’s security and global standing.
