Desk Report: The United States may still boast the world’s most powerful navy, but it has come to realize that this alone is no longer enough to assert its dominance over the world’s oceans, particularly in the face of China’s growing maritime influence.
While President Donald Trump has been vocal about strengthening US sea power, including shipbuilding and military presence, China has already been making significant strides in expanding its maritime reach. Trump’s comments on shipbuilding, the Panama Canal, and Greenland reflect a broader strategy to counter China’s maritime ambitions.
China’s expanding influence on global seas poses a significant challenge to the US’s efforts to safeguard its interests. While the United States continues to dominate militarily, it lags behind in other critical maritime sectors, such as merchant shipping and shipbuilding. Analysts have pointed out that the US is not as competitive as China in areas beyond military power.
In a recent address to Congress, President Trump announced plans to “resurrect” the country’s naval construction industry, focusing on both commercial and military shipbuilding. He also criticized China for its control over the Panama Canal, hinting at possible military action to reclaim control of the strategic waterway.
Trump’s statements about Greenland, a Danish territory rich in untapped mineral and oil reserves, further underscore his desire to strengthen US control over strategic maritime assets. Additionally, Trump has proposed imposing taxes on Chinese vessels entering US ports.
Researcher Sophie Quintin, from Portsmouth University in the UK, noted that Trump’s approach resembles a return to “navalism,” a theory emphasizing the importance of sea power, popularized by 19th-century US naval officer Alfred Mahan. However, some experts, like Alessio Patalano of King’s College London, suggest that Trump’s maritime policies may be more about catering to his MAGA (Make America Great Again) voter base than based on a comprehensive strategic plan.
China’s Growing Maritime Power
China, for its part, recognizes the importance of sea power, as noted by Nick Childs from the International Institute for Strategic Studies. At a recent conference, Childs highlighted China’s rapid expansion in maritime sectors beyond its navy, including investments in global ports and maritime infrastructure. Furthermore, China has been “weaponizing” its fishing fleet to expand its influence on the high seas.
The United States has expressed concern over Chinese shipping companies, which it believes are aligned with Beijing’s strategic interests. China’s economic control over critical ports and chokepoints, especially those part of the Maritime Silk Road, is seen as a growing threat to US dominance. The Jamestown Foundation, a US think tank, singled out state-owned firms like COSCO and China Merchant Ports as key players in China’s growing maritime influence.
Despite concerns from Washington, some experts caution against oversimplifying China’s maritime strategy. Paul Tourret of France’s ISEMAR points out that companies like COSCO operate on a financial basis and primarily serve US consumer needs.
Nevertheless, US pressure seems to have had some impact. Hutchison Port Holdings, a company linked to Chinese interests and controlling two ports on the Panama Canal, recently agreed to sell its holdings to a US-led consortium, citing a purely commercial decision.
US Maritime Weaknesses
While the US maintains military dominance at sea, its merchant fleet has significantly declined in recent years. According to Quintin, what remains of the US commercial fleet is aging, which poses problems for its strategic capabilities, especially in terms of military transport. The US shipbuilding industry, once a leader in innovation, is now in crisis. The lack of scale in US shipbuilding compared to China and the absence of Japanese and Korean expertise further complicate matters.
Industry insiders have pointed out that while Europe may be a year behind the US on certain military programs, the US is often three or four years behind in comparison to China.
Trump’s desire to take control of Greenland and Canada could be seen as a move to reassert US dominance over the seas. The rapid melting of Arctic ice due to global warming has opened up new opportunities for commercial and military vessels, as well as resource exploration. China, Russia, and the US are all eyeing the Arctic region for strategic advantage.
The Arctic’s growing importance for power projection, particularly for missile-launching submarines, adds another dimension to this geopolitical rivalry. However, the US is lagging behind in the Arctic as well. China currently deploys three icebreakers, while the US Coast Guard struggles to maintain just two aging vessels.
In summary, while the US remains a dominant naval power, it faces increasing challenges from China’s expanding maritime influence and its own weaknesses in other maritime sectors. The competition over global sea power, especially in strategic regions like the Arctic and the Panama Canal, is only set to intensify.