America was once the world's greatest shipbuilder. But, now, as a result of China's unfair practices and policies over the past three decades, our shipyards are floundering.
We can strengthen our shipbuilding supply chains, fortify our national security, and create thousands of well-paid jobs. Tell your Members of Congress to co-sponsor and support the SHIPS for America Act!
YOUR LETTER:
I write to urge you to co-sponsor and pass the SHIPS for America Act/Building Ships in America Act (S. 1536 /1541 and H.R. 3151), which takes important steps towards addressing the decline of America’s shipbuilding sector and sets our nation on a path towards once again being a global leader in shipbuilding.
The SHIPS for America Act complements the administration’s Section 301 action with strategic investments in U.S. shipbuilding capacity and workforce through the creation of a Maritime Security Trust Fund funded with collected duties and fees under the Section 301 action. The bill also expands the U.S.-flag international fleet with domestically built merchant vessels, requires more cargo and goods to move on U.S.-flagged vessels, strengthens the domestic shipyard industrial base with tax credits and financing, accelerates shipbuilding innovation, and supports America’s workers with historic investments in our maritime workforce.
The unfair economic practices of China present a sizeable obstacle to revitalizing shipbuilding in the United States. The economic impacts of China’s unfair trade and economic practices and our shrinking share of global shipbuilding in America include the massive loss of shipbuilding jobs as well as the stunning exit of 20,500 domestic shipbuilding suppliers over the past several decades. As our shipyards have closed, the shared supply chain serving both our commercial and military shipbuilding needs is at risk. While no nation should be faulted for seeking to develop maritime capabilities, Beijing’s ambitions go well beyond that. Failing to take decisive action will have catastrophic consequences for the security of our nation, the strength of our industrial base, and the livelihood of America’s workers. I am confident that the Trump administration’s Section 301 action and the bipartisan SHIPS for America Act can work together to both disincentivize the purchase and use of vessels produced in China and prepare our own shipyards and workers to build high-quality vessels for both our economic and security needs.
Please co-sponsor and quickly enact the SHIPS for America Act/Building Ships in America Act (S. 1536 /1541 and H.R. 3151).