A potential Trump administration waiver could hurt American mariners and shipyard workers.
Like many American sectors in the past decades, the U.S. maritime industry has faced devastating losses. The U.S.-flag international fleet stands at just 80 vessels, down 60 percent since 1991. A new policy shift that the Trump administration is considering could hit the industry with another jab.
The White House, Bloomberg reports, is taking a serious look at waiving a requirement that only U.S.-flag vessels can transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) from American ports to Puerto Rico and the Northeast. No only does this decision carry national security implications by placing America’s energy needs in the hands of other countries, it harms American workers in an industry that is already struggling.
It’s not like prioritizing U.S.-flag ships hasn’t been on the Trump administration’s radar. In March, Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross urging them to support U.S.-flag vessels for energy exports in any U.S.-China trade deal. Rep. Garamendi and Sen. Wicker aren’t all talk:
“We will be introducing the ‘Energizing American Shipbuilding Act.’ Our Bipartisan bill would guarantee that fixed percentages of all exported LNG and crude oil travel on U.S.-built, crewed, and flagged vessels starting in 2025. Our bill would also require that exporters provide training opportunities for American mariners in preparation for these future job opportunities. Our bill would grow the U.S.-flag fleet and create thousands of new, well-paying jobs for American mariners, shipyards, and our domestic maritime industry.”
Transporting LNG from U.S. ports to Puerto Rico and the Northeast—the most densely populated region in the country—is a matter of economic and national security and that’s how it should be treated. If the U.S. Navy, for example, wouldn’t rely on foreign aircraft carriers to transport sensitive equipment and servicemembers, then why would we not take the same precautions when transporting the energy resources that keep the country on its feet?
Entrusting our energy security to U.S.-flag vessels and crew is just common sense. This isn’t only to strengthen our national security, though. It’s to support the workers who dedicate their lives to keeping America running.