Washington, D.C. — The United States, despite maintaining the world’s most formidable navy, is ramping up efforts to assert dominance on the high seas amid China’s expanding maritime influence.
Recent strategic pronouncements by former President Donald Trump—spanning naval expansion, the Panama Canal, and Greenland—underscore Washington’s push to strengthen its sea power across multiple fronts, mirroring Beijing’s aggressive maritime policies.
While the U.S. retains military superiority at sea, analysts argue that its commercial shipping and shipbuilding industries lag behind. Speaking before Congress last week, Trump pledged to revive America’s shipbuilding industry, both for commercial and military purposes, to counter China’s growing presence in global maritime affairs.
Addressing China’s increasing control over strategic waterways, Trump accused Beijing of dominating the Panama Canal and hinted at the possibility of military intervention to reclaim influence. Additionally, he has openly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing its vast untapped mineral and energy reserves, and proposed taxation on Chinese vessels docking in U.S. ports.
Observers note that Trump’s maritime policy aligns with the 19th-century navalism theory championed by U.S. naval strategist Alfred Mahan, which emphasizes the role of sea power in global dominance. However, some experts argue that these moves may also be aimed at appealing to his populist voter base, reinforcing his “America First” agenda.
China’s Expanding Maritime Influence
Experts highlight Beijing’s calculated expansion beyond military naval power, including investments in global port infrastructure, strategic choke points, and the growing influence of state-backed shipping firms.
At a maritime conference in Paris, Nick Childs of the International Institute for Strategic Studies pointed out China’s rapid growth in global shipping, infrastructure, and even the strategic deployment of its fishing fleet.
The Jamestown Foundation, a U.S. think tank, has warned that China’s economic grip on key port operations worldwide—especially through the Maritime Silk Road initiative—poses a direct challenge to Washington and its allies. Companies like COSCO and China Merchant Ports, both state-owned, are at the forefront of this expansion, while privately held Hutchison Port Holdings controls critical ports along the Panama Canal.
However, maritime expert Paul Tourret of France’s Higher Institute of Maritime Economics cautions against overly simplistic interpretations, noting that China’s shipping activities also follow financial and logistical imperatives, not solely strategic control.
Despite China’s advances, recent pressure from Washington has shown results. Hutchison Port Holdings announced last week that it had agreed to sell its lucrative Panama Canal holdings to a U.S.-led consortium, a move it described as purely commercial.
Challenges in U.S. Maritime Strategy
Despite its naval strength, the U.S. faces significant gaps in its commercial shipping and shipbuilding industries, according to maritime analyst Sophie Quintin.
“American merchant shipping has suffered a sharp decline, and its existing commercial fleet is outdated,” she explained, adding that these deficiencies also affect the country’s strategic military transport capabilities.
Alessio Patalano, a maritime strategy expert at King’s College London, noted that while China and South Korea rapidly produce commercial vessels, the U.S. struggles with shipbuilding delays and lacks the industrial capacity to compete at scale.
“The U.S. is often three or four years behind in military ship production, while Europe lags by only a year,” an anonymous industry source stated.
The Arctic Factor and U.S. Strategic Interests
Washington’s maritime ambitions extend beyond traditional waterways. Trump’s interest in Greenland and Canada ties into broader Arctic strategy, as climate change accelerates the melting of ice caps, opening new shipping routes, energy reserves, and military operational zones.
As global players, also including China and Russia, a race to establish influence in the Arctic, analysts predict an increasing militarization of the region.
“The Arctic will become a crucial frontier for power projection, particularly for missile-launching submarines,” Patalano observed, emphasizing its role in global deterrence.
With geopolitical tensions rising, Washington’s evolving maritime strategy signals a renewed effort to safeguard its dominance at sea while countering China’s economic and military expansion in global waters.
By Taiwo Olatinwo | March 9, 2025
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