East Michigan News

Today, in Washington, D.C., a joint statement was released by Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The statement responds to the Trump administration's announcement regarding proposed actions aimed at countering the CCP's maritime practices and reviving the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

The statement highlights that both Republican and Democratic administrations have identified that "the CCP has for decades used state subsidies and anti-competitive practices to restrict U.S. shipbuilding and maritime commerce." Historically, the United States held a dominant position as a leading shipbuilder globally. However, current statistics indicate that China now controls over 50 percent of global shipbuilding, while the U.S. holds just 0.2 percent. For every large ocean-going vessel constructed in America annually, China builds 359.

Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi emphasized their commitment to bipartisan efforts to hold China accountable for these practices: "We are firmly committed to working on a bipartisan basis to hold the CCP accountable for its unfair maritime practices and to revitalize our domestic shipbuilding industry and workforce."

Both parties recognize an urgent need to address China's trade practices, which have significantly impacted the U.S. maritime sector. The Select Committee will continue its work focusing on countering this economic threat from China with an aim of restoring America's standing in global shipbuilding.