Trump Launches Office of Shipbuilding, Proposes Major Tariffs on Chinese-Built Ships

In a sweeping move aimed at reshoring America’s maritime manufacturing strength, former President Donald Trump has announced the creation of the Office of Shipbuilding, signaling a renewed commitment to revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Central to this initiative is a proposal to impose tariffs of up to $1.5 million on Chinese-built or Chinese-owned vessels docking at U.S. ports.

The plan, which has drawn bipartisan support, is designed to discourage American carriers from sourcing vessels from China — currently the world's largest shipbuilding hub — and redirect investment toward rebuilding the long-neglected U.S. commercial shipbuilding sector. Funds collected through these levies, projected to generate tens of billions of dollars, would be funneled into subsidies and strategic support for American shipyards.

“U.S. shipbuilding is a national security imperative,” Trump stated during the announcement. “In today’s world, control of the seas isn’t just about trade. It’s about deterrence, defense, and the ability to respond to global threats.”

The move aligns national economic interests with military readiness, highlighting the importance of having the industrial capacity to build, repair, and sustain maritime fleets critical to freedom of navigation and U.S. geopolitical stability.

As the United States intensifies efforts to revitalize its shipbuilding industry and reduce reliance on foreign-built tonnage, SolarisTech is stepping forward as a strategic oversight and advisory partner committed to advancing American maritime capabilities.

Backed by decades of shipyard experience in South Korea, Japan, and China, SolarisTech’s team brings a depth of technical knowledge and best practices that can be directly applied to support U.S. shipbuilding projects. From early-stage design reviews to construction oversight and regulatory compliance, the firm offers critical support to ensure that newbuild programs meet the highest international standards.

“With our team's extensive background in Asian shipyards, we understand what drives quality, efficiency, and delivery success,” a SolarisTech spokesperson stated. “We’re here to apply that knowledge in a U.S. context—bridging experience with innovation to help domestic yards compete on the global stage.”

As policymakers and industry leaders look to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding base, SolarisTech is positioning itself as a vital link between global experience and national capability—bringing technical assurance, compliance insight, and practical shipyard oversight to American yards.

How SolarisTech Can Contribute:

• Pre-Construction Compliance Audits: Helping domestic yards align early with U.S. and international regulatory standards (SOLAS, IMO, MARPOL, etc.), reducing rework and costly delays.

• Risk-Based Inspection Systems: Deploying Nautilux by SolarisTech to digitize compliance oversight, track certificate validity, and flag nonconformities across vessel projects.

• Training & Workforce Upskilling: Through the Gosships Learning Series, SolarisTech can rapidly prepare a new generation of shipbuilders, engineers, and safety officers with certifications in sustainability, energy systems, and maritime law.

• Flag State Advisory Support: Assisting U.S. and allied vessels in navigating flag requirements and PSC inspections, boosting global competitiveness and minimizing detentions.

• Blockchain Reporting for Compliance: Enabling secure, traceable documentation for newbuild projects, inspections, and shipyard processes, aligned with federal and defense sector standards.

By combining advanced technology, regulatory expertise, and workforce development, SolarisTech is ready to help anchor the U.S. shipbuilding renaissance — ensuring that future fleets are not only built in America, but built to lead.