US President Donald Trump’s administration has launched its most ambitious effort since the 1970s to expand America’s maritime influence, with a mission to weaken China’s worldwide port network and bring strategic terminals under Western control, three sources familiar with the plan said.
Officials argue that the US commercial shipping fleet cannot provide sufficient logistical support for the military in wartime and that America is too dependent on foreign vessels and ports.
Options under review include supporting private US or Western companies to purchase Chinese stakes in ports. The sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, pointed to BlackRock’s proposed deal to buy Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s port assets in 23 countries, including sites near the Panama Canal, as an example.
The White House and the US Treasury declined to comment.
Beijing pushes back
China dismissed the criticism.
“China has always been firmly opposed to illegal and unjustifiable unilateral sanctions and so-called long-arm jurisdiction and moves that infringe on and undermine other countries' legitimate rights and interests through economic coercion, hegemonism and bullying,” a spokesperson for China’s diplomatic mission in Washington said.
Chinese officials in Beijing did not respond to requests for comment.
Security fears
Stuart Poole-Robb, founder of intelligence firm KCS Group, said Washington sees Chinese port holdings as a threat.
“The US government sees Chinese investments in global ports as a huge threat to its national security,” he said. “The concern is that China could leverage its control over these assets for espionage, military advantage or to disrupt supply chains during geopolitical crises.”
Spotlight on Greece
One focal point is the Greek port of Piraeus, a major hub on the trade route linking Europe, Africa and Asia. COSCO, one of China’s largest shipping groups, owns a 67 per cent stake in the Piraeus Port Authority.
Some Chinese investors worry Washington may move against COSCO’s Greek operations, a source close to those investors said. Neither COSCO nor the Greek government responded to requests for comment, though Greek officials previously told Reuters they had not been informed of any changes regarding control of Piraeus.
Washington already has COSCO under scrutiny. In January, the US Department of Defence added the company to its blacklist of firms with links to the Chinese military. While the designation does not ban US companies from doing business with COSCO, it signals further steps may follow.
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Mediterranean concerns
In March, the US Federal Maritime Commission opened a review of seven maritime chokepoints to identify “regulations, policies or practices that create unfavourable shipping conditions.” Among them is the Strait of Gibraltar at the entrance to the Mediterranean.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s efforts to deepen trade ties with China have raised concern in Washington. A Spanish foreign ministry spokesperson said: “We are not aware of any alleged concerns or approaches by third parties on this matter and therefore it is not appropriate for us to comment.”
A Spanish Port Authority spokesperson confirmed COSCO operates container terminals in Valencia and Bilbao.
Wider network
China has built a global network of port holdings through companies such as COSCO, China Merchants and SIPG. A Council on Foreign Relations report last year said Chinese firms were invested in 129 port projects worldwide as of August 2024.
The US Navy estimates China’s shipbuilding industry is 230 times larger than U.S. capacity, a gap that could take decades to close.
This competition adds to already heightened tensions between the two powers over trade and tariffs, with Beijing regarding ports and shipping as core to its Belt and Road initiative.
Caribbean hotspot
The US is also concerned about Chinese interests in Jamaica’s Kingston terminal, a critical transshipment hub. China Merchants owns a stake alongside France’s CMA CGM, while Chinese metals group JISCO controls the nearby Port Kaiser and the Alpart alumina refinery acquired in 2016.
A June report by the Center for Strategic & International Studies warned Kingston posed the “greatest security risk to the United States” of all Chinese port projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.
On a visit to Kingston in March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Beijing of “predatory practices,” saying Chinese state-backed firms “underbid everybody” to gain control.
A Jamaican foreign ministry spokesperson said it had no record of any US request to limit Chinese influence. Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who helped bring Chinese investment to the country, added: “I suspect that there's going to be increasing pressure from the US for us to back off from any increasing engagement with China.”
US West coast and Australia
COSCO already has joint ventures in container terminals at Los Angeles and Long Beach. The White House did not respond to questions about those investments.
In Australia, US private equity group Cerberus—founded by current Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg—has shown interest in buying the lease for Darwin Port from Chinese operator Landbridge, a port executive said in May.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to return Darwin Port to Australian ownership. His office referred to previous statements confirming that position.
A US defence official said Feinberg has not been involved in any discussions about acquisitions.
Maritime revival at home
Trump has taken several steps to boost US maritime power. In April, he signed an executive order to revive domestic shipbuilding to expand the fleet of US -controlled vessels.
The administration is considering setting up a shipping registry in the U.S. Virgin Islands to attract vessels under a US flag without having to meet stricter domestic requirements.
Officials are also preparing to impose fees on Chinese-built or flagged vessels entering American ports. Trump has even raised the idea of seizing Greenland, citing its Arctic position and key shipping routes.
Together, the measures form the boldest attempt to strengthen US sea power since President Richard Nixon sought to rebuild shipbuilding and expand the commercial registry.
Outlook
“The U.S. in the short to medium term is likely to continue its efforts to counter Chinese influence in the key port areas by building alliances and partnerships to counter Chinese power and economic growth,” Poole-Robb of KCS said.
With China treating ports as a cornerstone of its Belt and Road Initiative, the rivalry over maritime infrastructure is set to deepen.
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