Washington, Feb 14 (NationPress) The administration of US President Donald Trump has launched a comprehensive action plan aimed at revitalizing America's shipbuilding sector. This initiative emphasizes ongoing historic collaboration with South Korea and Japan, along with a strategy that allows for the initial ships in a contract to be constructed at an allied foreign shipyard.

The White House unveiled "America's Maritime Action Plan," coinciding with efforts from Seoul and Washington to bolster cooperation under South Korea's "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again (MASGA)" initiative, which is part of a bilateral trade and investment agreement, according to the Yonhap news agency.

In April, Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring America's Maritime Dominance," which mandated the creation of this plan. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought, alongside other Cabinet members, were integral in formulating this plan.

The Trump administration is focused on enhancing the nation's shipbuilding capabilities, especially as China reportedly possesses over 230 times the shipbuilding capacity of the United States, amidst escalating Sino-U.S. strategic competition.

The document states, "The United States will consult with China on shipbuilding capacity issues and continue its historic cooperation with the Republic of Korea and Japan on revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding," thereby formalizing collaboration with these key Asian allies.

The plan introduces a "Bridge Strategy" for multi-ship procurement, where the first ships in a contract are built at a foreign shipbuilder's home facility, while simultaneous direct capital investments are made in a U.S. shipyard they have acquired or partnered with. This approach aims to eventually shift ship construction to the U.S.

This strategy reflects the reality of the U.S.'s limited domestic shipbuilding capacity as it seeks to rapidly secure more vessels.

The document also indicates that Trump has secured at least US$150 billion in dedicated investments for the nation's shipbuilding industry, with the U.S. Commerce Department working to mobilize these funds effectively.

For the MASGA initiative, South Korea has set aside $150 billion as part of a larger $350 billion investment pledge under the trade agreement with the Trump administration, in exchange for Washington reducing "reciprocal" tariffs on the nation from 25 percent to 15 percent.

The Trump administration emphasized the necessity of industrial cooperation with allies and partners, stating, "Close coordination with allies and partners will align trade policies to enhance investment in the U.S. maritime sector."

"Diplomatic engagement and coalition building ensure that U.S. trade enforcement measures are reinforced by allied action, while targeted incentives encourage shipbuilders from partner nations to invest directly in America's MIB (maritime industrial base)."