“Ship Wars: Confronting China’s Dual-Use Shipbuilding Empire”: Audio Brief with Matthew P. Funaiole
Mar 11, 2025
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Explore the fierce competition in global shipbuilding, particularly the stark contrast between U.S. and China's capabilities. Delve into the complex relationship between economic strategy and national security. Discover recent legislative measures aimed at bolstering the U.S. maritime industry, with insights from Matthew P. Funaiole and his team. This discussion sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing the future of shipbuilding.
The podcast highlights the intertwined nature of economics and national security in shipbuilding, underscoring the need for policies that address both aspects effectively.
China's rapid advancement in shipbuilding capabilities, outpacing the U.S., emphasizes the importance of legislative initiatives like the SHIPS Act to strengthen American maritime competitiveness.
Deep dives
The Interconnection of Economics and National Security in Shipbuilding
The podcast emphasizes the critical relationship between economics and national security in shipbuilding, highlighting how these two aspects are inextricably linked. Discussions around the U.S. shipbuilding industry often fail to recognize this connection, leading to ineffective policies. While addressing the decline in U.S. shipbuilding capabilities, it is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach that considers both economic viability and national security implications. Failure to do so could hinder the United States' capacity to compete with China's rapidly expanding naval capabilities.
China's Dominance in Shipbuilding and U.S. Response
China's shipbuilding industry has outpaced that of the U.S., with a single Chinese company producing more vessels by tonnage last year than the entire U.S. shipbuilding sector combined since World War II. This dominance supports China's military modernization by blurring the lines between commercial and military shipbuilding. In response, there are legislative initiatives like the SHIPS Act that aim to bolster U.S. shipbuilding through significant funding and foreign investment. Additionally, proposed actions from the U.S. Trade Representative signal an intent to level the playing field, making it crucial to monitor these developments for their potential impact on the global maritime industry.