The Trump administration has escalated its maritime campaign, aiming to weaken China’s hold on strategic port assets worldwide while expanding U.S. influence over critical trade routes and logistics hubs. The policy marks Washington’s most aggressive maritime strategy since the Cold War era.
U.S. officials are examining ways to shift port ownership from Chinese companies to Western hands. Reports indicate discussions with BlackRock and other Western investors to take stakes in terminals formerly controlled by Chinese groups such as CK Hutchison, spanning 23 countries from Europe to the Caribbean. Among the sites under consideration are terminals near the Panama Canal, long viewed as a geopolitical pressure point.
New U.S. Measures
The administration has proposed imposing new port fees on Chinese-built or Chinese-flagged ships calling at U.S. ports, with tariffs scheduled for implementation next month. Other initiatives include executive orders to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity, bolster U.S.-controlled shipping registries—including proposals in the U.S. Virgin Islands—and reassess global chokepoints like the Strait of Gibraltar for security vulnerabilities.
A controversial element of the strategy has been the renewed suggestion of acquiring Greenland due to its location near Arctic shipping routes. Officials argue the territory could serve as a counterweight to Chinese interests in polar trade.
International Pushback
Beijing has condemned the U.S. initiative, calling it “illegal and unjustifiable unilateral sanctions” and accusing Washington of practicing “long-arm jurisdiction.” Chinese officials maintain that investments in overseas ports comply with international law and are focused on economic, not military, goals.
European nations find themselves in a difficult position. Greece, where COSCO controls Piraeus port, and Spain, home to Chinese-linked assets in Valencia and Bilbao, face mounting U.S. pressure to reconsider their partnerships. Local officials in Athens and Madrid have voiced concerns that Washington’s stance could destabilize port financing and regional trade ties.
In the Caribbean, Jamaica’s Kingston terminal has been highlighted by U.S. officials as a “greatest risk” location, where Chinese stakes and partnerships with CMA CGM intersect with U.S. security interests. France’s role in Caribbean port development further complicates the geopolitical calculus.
Australian Reassessment
In the Asia-Pacific, Australia is reviewing its 99-year lease of Darwin Port to China’s Landbridge Group. The move comes amid closer U.S.-Australian strategic dialogue and discussions with private equity firms, including Cerberus Capital, to shift ownership back to local or allied control.
Regulatory and Trade Shifts
The Federal Maritime Commission has launched a review of seven global chokepoints seen as critical to U.S. and allied supply chains. These include Mediterranean gateways and routes linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Meanwhile, the administration’s tariff policy has pushed average U.S. rates from roughly 3% to more than 20% as of September 2025, directly affecting port-related imports and logistics flows. The sharp increase is already disrupting supply chains dependent on containerized and bulk shipping.
On the regulatory front, U.S. negotiators are lobbying against international maritime decarbonization measures under the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Reports suggest Washington has threatened economic retaliation against nations supporting emissions-reduction agreements, effectively tying environmental policy to security interests.
Summary of Strategic Locations
| Location | Stakeholders | Recent Development |
|---|---|---|
| Panama Canal | CK Hutchison, BlackRock | Prospective Western buyout, tariff discussions |
| Piraeus, Greece | COSCO | Under U.S. scrutiny, control questioned |
| Kingston, Jamaica | China Merchants, CMA CGM | Labeled U.S. security concern |
| U.S. West Coast | COSCO, U.S. partners | Policy review, possible divestment |
| Darwin, Australia | Landbridge, Cerberus | Ownership reassessment encouraged by U.S. |
Industry Outlook
Analysts note that Washington’s pressure campaign is designed to reduce China’s influence over key maritime corridors. By encouraging allies to align with U.S. trade and security priorities, the administration seeks to realign global shipping routes and consolidate Western control over vital port infrastructure.
Chinese investors in Europe and the Mediterranean remain cautious, watching for signs that U.S. diplomatic and economic leverage will force governments to revisit agreements made over the past two decades.
