China’s Power Plays Highlight the Continued Need for Policies That Ensure U.S. Maritime Might
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy League of the United States — a nonprofit civilian, educational and advocacy organization that supports America’s sea services: the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine — announced today that it has released a new report detailing how the United States must commit to a stronger domestic maritime presence or risk ceding global dominance in the domain to China.
The report, titled “China’s Use of Maritime for Global Power Demands a Strong Commitment to U.S. Maritime,” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Jones Act, a law that restricts foreign vessel access to America’s inland waterways. This domestic control of the United States supply chain also results in a domestic fleet that, should a global conflict arise, could support sealift to deploy military assets.
“The United States’ maritime commerce power directly tied to our ability to project power abroad in times of war,” said Navy League Executive Director Mike Stevens, retired 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. “Our newest report details this delicate balance. Support of legislation like the Jones Act is critical. But additionally, the Navy League recommends a more committed look at expanding current cargo preference laws. If we do not take this issue seriously now, our nation could face a dire sealift shortage during our next major military engagement.”
The report points out that in today’s increasingly global economy, America’s previously unrivaled status as a trading partner is getting eroded by China, which has a massive and rising economy. Additionally, China has made inroads into other nations’ port infrastructure through its Belt and Road Initiative. To stem this unrivaled power grab, it’s essential to boost the United States’ maritime economic standing, according to the report. It states a whole-of-government and whole-of-industry approach to scale up the defense maritime industrial base to counter China.
To view this report in full, visit https://www.navyleague.org/programs/legislative-affairs.
Media Contact
Danielle Lucey
Senior Vice President of Communications
dlucey@navyleague.org
(703) 312-1580
About the Navy League of the United States
The Navy League of the United States, founded in 1902 with the support of President Theodore Roosevelt, is a nonprofit civilian, educational and advocacy organization that supports America’s sea services: the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine. Through national and local programs, the Navy League of the United States provides a powerful voice to educate the public and Congress on the importance of our sea services to our nation’s defense, well-being and economic prosperity. The Navy League provides support to our sea services personnel and their families and youth programs, such as the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Junior ROTC and Young Marines, that expose young people to the values of our sea services. For more information, go to www.navyleague.org.