Archive · 24 Jul 2026
US Seeks India's Help to Counter China's Shipbuilding Dominance
The US is worried about China's control over making ships.
China makes more than half of the world's ships, which helps its navy grow stronger.
The US has a very small shipbuilding industry.
To fix this, the US wants to work with its friends like Japan, South Korea, and India.
They want to make more ships together and not rely on China.
They also want to use rules and money to encourage more shipbuilding in the US and its allies.
Experts say this will take a long time and a lot of work.
China controls more than half of the world's commercial shipbuilding capacity.
The US accounts for less than one-tenth of one percent of global shipbuilding production.
The US seeks to partner with Japan, South Korea, and India to diversify maritime industrial capacity.
Experts recommend greater transparency, investment in high-value maritime technologies, and coordinated industrial planning with allies.
Lawmakers discussed using tariffs, port fees, sanctions, and export controls to reduce dependence on Chinese shipyards.
- Who
- US lawmakers, experts, and allies including Japan, South Korea, and India
- What
- A hearing on countering China's dominance in global shipbuilding
- When
- During a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific hearing
- Where
- Washington, DC
- Why
- To address China's overwhelming control of commercial shipbuilding and its implications for global supply chains, military logistics, and Indo-Pacific security
US and Allies
China
Shipbuilding Dominance
US and Allies
The US and its allies aim to diversify maritime industrial capacity away from China to counter its dominance in global shipbuilding.
China
China leverages its state-backed expansion of commercial shipbuilding to strengthen its naval capabilities and global influence.
Strategic Partnerships
US and Allies
The US seeks to work with allies like Japan, South Korea, and India to build up allied capacity in shipbuilding.
China
China operates independently, using its commercial success to subsidize its military shipbuilding.
Economic and Security Implications
US and Allies
The US and its allies aim to reduce dependence on Chinese shipyards through tariffs, port fees, sanctions, and export controls.
China
China's commercial shipbuilding base supports its rapidly expanding naval fleet through a military-civil fusion model.
- China's Shipbuilding Capacity
- More than half of the world's commercial shipbuilding capacity
- US Shipbuilding Capacity
- Less than one-tenth of one percent of global production
- Key Allies
- Japan, South Korea, India
- Hearing Title
- Charting a New Course: Countering China's Dominance in Global Shipbuilding
- Subcommittee Chair
- Young Kim
- Ranking Democrat
- Ami Bera
- Expert Witnesses
- Matthew Funaiole (CSIS), Brent Sadler (Heritage Foundation)