Former President Trump is exploring a strategy that involves inviting international shipbuilders to establish operations within the United States. This initiative, articulated by Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, is designed to rapidly expand the Navy's fleet while simultaneously aiming to generate approximately 540,000 American jobs and fortify the nation's defense capabilities.
Expanding Naval Capacity
Speaking recently, Secretary Cao highlighted the current limitations in domestic shipbuilding. "Right now, we're held with two manufacturers in the United States that are building ships," Cao stated. He explained that the former president's objective is to broaden this base by engaging other builders.
Cao clarified that the plan does not involve purchasing foreign-built ships. Instead, it focuses on attracting foreign investment into American manufacturing. He drew an analogy to the automotive industry, noting that "Toyotas and Nissans are made here in the U.S., so why can't they bring that capability over here?" He suggested that these international companies might also bring more efficient manufacturing processes. "We're gonna create 540,000 jobs when they do that," he affirmed.
Strategic Imperatives and Global Tensions
The impetus behind this proposal, Cao explained, is the critical need for a larger naval fleet to meet contemporary global demands. This urgency is exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical developments, including heightened tensions in the Middle East and China's expanding military presence across the Indo-Pacific region.
The Navy currently requires 350 ships, according to Cao. He cited examples such as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, which has experienced prolonged deployments due to an insufficient number of vessels available for rotation.
To address this shortfall, Cao mentioned that the former president is advocating for a substantial $1.5 trillion budget specifically to facilitate the construction of necessary ships.
Acting Secretary Cao emphasized that his primary mission is to ensure the Navy is equipped with the requisite ships, aircraft, and submarines to effectively deter adversaries worldwide.
In illustrating the challenges and capabilities of the fleet, Cao referenced a specific incident: "Don't forget there's a [32-year-old] submarine out there, [the] USS Charlotte that was out there for [the] longest time, and they didn't know where it was, and they were launching missiles from right on the coastline," he recounted. The USS Charlotte, an American submarine, sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka in March, becoming the first U.S. Navy submarine to sink an enemy vessel in combat since World War II.
