Trump Signs ‘Make Shipbuilding Great Again’ Executive Order

In a move that signals a dramatic policy shift in U.S. maritime industrial strategy, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order titled “Make Shipbuilding Great Again,” aimed at revitalizing American shipyards and significantly reducing foreign—particularly Chinese—influence in the critical shipbuilding and repair sector. The announcement was made during a press event held at a legacy shipyard on the East Coast, underscoring the administration’s renewed focus on national industrial self-reliance.

The executive order outlines a comprehensive framework to enhance domestic shipbuilding capabilities through federal incentives, regulatory streamlining, expanded defense procurement, and targeted workforce development initiatives. Central to the policy is a “Buy American, Build American” mandate for all government-related maritime construction, including vessels commissioned by the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and other federal agencies.

“This is about reclaiming our sovereignty on the seas,” President Trump said during the signing ceremony. “We will no longer depend on foreign adversaries to build the ships that secure our trade, our waters, and our freedom.”

The order comes amid growing concerns about the erosion of U.S. shipbuilding capacity, which has dwindled over recent decades due to overseas competition, rising costs, and a lack of strategic focus. China now commands the largest global shipbuilding footprint by volume, with South Korea and Japan also maintaining dominant positions. Analysts have warned that this imbalance poses long-term risks to U.S. economic and military readiness.

Under the new directive, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will be tasked with identifying priority shipyard infrastructure projects and coordinating investment through public-private partnerships. The Department of Defense is also expected to expand its use of U.S. shipyards for auxiliary and support vessels, while financial instruments such as loan guarantees and tax credits will be extended to private commercial shipbuilders that commit to expanding capacity and adhering to new domestic content rules.

Critics have raised concerns about potential trade retaliation and the feasibility of rapidly scaling domestic shipbuilding, citing labor shortages and high capital requirements. However, proponents argue that the order is a necessary corrective to decades of policy neglect and a strategic imperative given rising geopolitical tensions and maritime chokepoint vulnerabilities.

“This executive order is about more than just ships — it’s about industrial policy, strategic autonomy, and jobs,” said a senior administration official. “We’re sending a message to the world that the United States will lead again, not follow.”

The long-term impact of the initiative will depend on the effectiveness of implementation, Congressional funding support, and the industry’s capacity to respond to renewed federal interest. For now, the executive order marks a bold statement of intent: to restore America’s shipbuilding sector as a cornerstone of national strength and security.