Close Menu
Newsy Tribune
  • Home
  • News
    • United States
    • Europe
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • South America
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Science
  • Money
  • Sports
  • Tech
Trending

Potentially deadly bacteria found in invasive tick for first time in US

May 30, 2025

‘Lilo & Stitch’ Live-Action Remake Breaks Numerous Box Office Records

May 30, 2025

French paedophile former surgeon sentenced to 20 years in prison

May 30, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • Potentially deadly bacteria found in invasive tick for first time in US
  • ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Live-Action Remake Breaks Numerous Box Office Records
  • French paedophile former surgeon sentenced to 20 years in prison
  • Democracy in East Africa is retreating. Here is how it can be saved
  • Oil riches are on the horizon as Suriname chooses its next government
  • Vacation nightmare: 12 family members diagnosed with fungal disease after exploring Costa Rica cave
  • Anthony Weiner discusses sexting scandal while attempting political comeback, says 'women are crazy about me'
  • ‘Ozempic face’ might cause sagging skin — but one user loves her new look: ‘Like I got jawline filler’
Login
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Friday, May 30
Newsy Tribune
Subscribe Newsletter
  • Home
  • News
    • United States
    • Europe
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • South America
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Science
  • Money
  • Sports
  • Tech
Newsy Tribune
Home»Politics
Politics

Trump Threatens Allied Outsourcing of Military Shipbuilding Amid US Production Concerns

News RoomBy News RoomJanuary 7, 2025
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram Email WhatsApp Copy Link

President-elect Donald Trump’s unexpected proposal to potentially outsource naval shipbuilding if domestic production cannot meet demands has ignited a firestorm of debate. This stance clashes sharply with his campaign promises to revitalize American manufacturing and impose hefty tariffs on foreign goods, including a proposed 60% tariff on Chinese imports. Trump’s concern stems from the stark reality of America’s dwindling shipbuilding capacity, which has fallen drastically behind global competitors, particularly China. He highlighted China’s rapid shipbuilding pace, contrasting it with America’s sluggish output, expressing concern that the U.S. is “sitting back and watching” as China expands its naval might. This perceived decline in American shipbuilding prowess has raised alarms about the nation’s ability to maintain its naval superiority, a cornerstone of its global military presence.

The crux of the issue lies in the sheer disparity between the shipbuilding capacities of the U.S. and China. China’s shipbuilding capacity dwarfs that of the U.S. by a staggering margin, over 232 times greater. This immense difference translates into a tangible advantage for China, allowing them to produce ships at an alarming rate, reportedly launching a new vessel every four days. While China boasts the world’s largest navy with over 370 ships and submarines, the U.S. Navy operates a fleet of 295 vessels, including 11 aircraft carriers. Congress mandated a 355-ship Navy in 2017, a goal that appears increasingly challenging to achieve given the current state of domestic shipbuilding. This widening gap in naval power raises concerns about America’s ability to project power and maintain its global military presence effectively.

Compounding the problem of shipbuilding capacity is the escalating cost of building ships in the U.S. Producing a ship domestically is estimated to be twice as expensive as building it elsewhere in the world. This cost disparity makes outsourcing a tempting, albeit controversial, option. Trump alluded to potentially bidding out shipbuilding contracts to foreign entities, including allies, as a temporary measure until the U.S. can rebuild its domestic shipbuilding industry. This proposal, however, has raised eyebrows within the domestic shipbuilding industry and labor groups, who fear job losses and the further erosion of American manufacturing capabilities. Balancing national security needs with economic realities presents a complex challenge for the incoming administration.

Beyond the sheer number of ships, the U.S. also faces a critical shortfall in nuclear submarines, a vital component of its strategic defense posture. According to military experts, the U.S. nuclear submarine fleet has dwindled significantly from its Cold War peak, leaving it ill-equipped to address current threats. Jerry Hendrix, a retired Navy captain and senior fellow at the Sagamore Institute, has voiced concerns about the “unpreparedness” of the American submarine force, emphasizing the long-term consequences of “bad assumptions and poor decisions.” With China’s submarine fleet rapidly expanding, the U.S. risks losing its edge in underwater warfare, a crucial aspect of national security.

Adding to the complexity of the situation is the uneven distribution of global shipbuilding capacity. China currently dominates the market, controlling nearly 47%, followed by South Korea and Japan. The U.S., in contrast, holds a negligible share of the market, a mere 0.13%. This stark contrast underscores the significant challenges facing the U.S. in revitalizing its shipbuilding industry. Reversing this trend will require substantial investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and technological advancements.

Trump’s critique of the Navy’s management of the Constellation-class frigate program further highlights the challenges facing domestic shipbuilding. He attributed cost overruns and delays to “Biden-era officers” who, he claimed, “tinkered” with the ships’ design, compromising their speed and effectiveness. This criticism points to the bureaucratic hurdles and internal debates that can hinder progress in complex defense procurement programs. Streamlining the decision-making process and ensuring efficient allocation of resources are crucial for ensuring the timely and cost-effective delivery of new naval vessels. Ultimately, the future of American naval power hinges on navigating these intricate challenges and making strategic investments to bolster domestic shipbuilding capabilities.

Related Articles

Anthony Weiner discusses sexting scandal while attempting political comeback, says 'women are crazy about me'

President Trump teases ‘last day, but not really’ for Elon Musk at DOGE: Oval Office presser set for Friday

Trump is down but not out in court battle over Harvard's foreign student visas

Trump DHS issues warning after anti-ICE protesters attempt to disrupt arrest

State Dept says DOGE's changes will be permanent amid Musk's departure

DOGE staffing shakeup as Elon Musk hangs up his hat, White House confirms

Editors Picks

‘Lilo & Stitch’ Live-Action Remake Breaks Numerous Box Office Records

May 30, 2025

French paedophile former surgeon sentenced to 20 years in prison

May 30, 2025

Democracy in East Africa is retreating. Here is how it can be saved

May 30, 2025

Oil riches are on the horizon as Suriname chooses its next government

May 30, 2025

Latest Updates

Vacation nightmare: 12 family members diagnosed with fungal disease after exploring Costa Rica cave

May 30, 2025

Anthony Weiner discusses sexting scandal while attempting political comeback, says 'women are crazy about me'

May 30, 2025

‘Ozempic face’ might cause sagging skin — but one user loves her new look: ‘Like I got jawline filler’

May 30, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest TikTok Instagram
© 2025 Newsy Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of service
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below.

Lost password?