US Shipbuilding Decline Poses 'Scary' Vulnerability Against China, Senator Warns

A critical decline in American shipbuilding has left the United States dangerously susceptible and outpaced by China's aggressively expanding naval fleet, Senator Tim Sheehy has cautioned.

"Right now, our fleet, when you compare us to China, they build ships 230 times faster than we do. Their shipyards can turn around repairs 90% faster than we can," Senator Sheehy explained.

Sheehy attributed this significant slowdown to a period of national complacency during prolonged peace, arguing that the U.S. was inadequately prepared for potential future conflicts. He underscored that while a depleted Army might be restored within one to two years, revitalizing the Navy's industrial base presents a far more profound and long-term challenge.

Decades of Industrial Atrophy

"We've allowed our shipbuilding industry to atrophy over the past 30 years to a point that's really quite scary because we felt the peace dividend was permanent, Pax Americana was here to stay, and we felt we don't need these big expensive ships anymore," Sheehy stated.

The senator noted that rebuilding the Army could take one to two years, and the Air Force up to five years. However, he contended that the specialized skills essential for shipbuilding are considerably more challenging to reinstate, adding that America has not engaged in "meaningful way in a long time."

Efforts to Revitalize Maritime Industry

The Trump administration previously voiced strong criticism regarding the deceleration in U.S. shipbuilding. In April 2025, the White House issued an executive order aimed at addressing this issue by outlining policies to revitalize and reconstruct the maritime sector.

This order established the Maritime Action Plan (MAP), designed to reinvigorate the industry, streamline the process for private companies to construct vessels, and direct Cabinet members to develop strategies for boosting output.

During a joint address to Congress, former President Trump pledged to "resurrect" the shipbuilding industry, remarking, "We used to make so many ships. We don’t make them anymore very much, but we’re going to make them very fast, very soon. It will have a huge impact."

Erosion of Domestic Shipbuilding Infrastructure

Senator Sheehy identified the destruction of shipbuilding sites as a contributing factor to the problem. He linked this to the proliferation of condominiums and a surge in waterfront real estate values, noting that industries perceived as "dirty" or "loud" were frequently relocated overseas.

"Let's take the heavy industries and push them to other countries because they're dirty, and they're loud, and they’re not as profitable, and let's make our system based on financial optimization," Sheehy said.

He concluded that this approach led to the loss of "invaluable and irreplaceable assets" vital not only for constructing a Navy but also for its ongoing maintenance. "So, we're now at a moment where both parties are realizing we have under-invested in our fleet," he added, underscoring a shared recognition of the urgent need for investment.