WASHINGTON — In front of both chambers of Congress, President Donald Trump on Tuesday promised that more commercial and military ships would be built in America.
“I am announcing tonight that we will create a new Office of Shipbuilding in the White House and offer special tax incentives to bring this industry home to America where it belongs,” the president said.
Wisconsin has a long history of shipbuilding, a tradition that continues with Fincantieri Marinette Marine, which has private and government clients.
The president’s announcement received bipartisan support from members of the Wisconsin delegation.
“The shout out to the shipbuilding industry really hits home in the state of Wisconsin, a state that is central in ship production, not only in places like Marionette Marine, but also in places like Beloit that are building the engines that go into some of our Navy ships,” said Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville. “And so at the end of the day, this is about making sure that we’re seeing investment, development in jobs here in the United States.”
In a statement, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin said, “Mr. President, let’s get to work. The first step is cracking down on China for cheating and holding them accountable – like I have long fought for – so we level the playing field for workers and support Made in America shipbuilding.”
Last year, Baldwin called on the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate shipbuilding in China, which resulted in a report that was released in January. It alleged that China has elevated its industry with state-sponsored financial support and suppressed labor costs. The report said the U.S. builds less than five ships each year, while China builds more than 1,700 ships, making the U.S. dependent on China for shipbuilding. The report reads, “The resulting economic security risks of over-relying on a single economy, especially that of a strategic competitor, for maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding burden or restrict U.S. commerce.”
David McCall, international president of the United Steelworkers, echoed those concerns.
“We think there’s a real issue with shipbuilding in this country, in terms of the Chinese Communists Party’s policies on shipbuilding and logistics in the overall commercial shipbuilding industry in the world,” he said. “So, an Office of Shipbuilding in the White House, we think, will draw attention to it.”
McCall said the potential of creating an Office of Shipbuilding in the White House would bolster the industry, especially in Wisconsin.
“It really just means creating more and more jobs and securing the jobs for a long future,” he said.
A spokesman for Fincantieri Marine Group told Spectrum News in a statement the company is enthusiastic about the president’s plans, and it’s an exciting time to be in shipbuilding.
“As a company with thousands of employees in both naval and commercial shipbuilding in NE Wisconsin, this sounds like great news,” the spokesperson wrote. “And it could positively impact our suppliers, partners, and the communities in which we live. Shipbuilding in general, and especially in Wisconsin, has long had bipartisan support. It’s great to hear the president explaining how important this industry is to our country, our economy, and our national defense. Good time to get on board, if people are looking for meaningful work.”
Baldwin said the Trump administration should impose appropriate penalties on China to support American workers. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
