This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Concerns over Communist China's navy and the threat it poses to U.S. interests have increased at alarming rates through the years, with multiple reports revealing that China is outpacing the United States in both naval and commercial ship production.
For the U.S., the shipbuilding industry is unquestionably vital to its economy and its national security. For this reason, on March 4 President Donald Trump announced in a joint address to Congress that he would "create a new office of shipbuilding in the White House and offer special tax incentives [for the sector]."
WorldNetDaily interviewed Col. Grant Newsham, USMC-Ret., who once served as the first Marine liaison officer to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. According to Newsham, "The Chinese shipbuilding industry and its dominance didn't come about by coincidence," adding, "The Chinese Communist Party placing priority on shipbuilding is just one segment of the strategy of [becoming] the world leader in manufacturing."
"Shipbuilding," Newsham noted, "is a 'big ticket' industry. It's immensely profitable when you dominate a market – especially one that provides products – ships in this case – that all other nations depend on, either directly or indirectly." It is that dependency, he stressed, that "gives China leverage over countries it regards as rivals and even enemies."
"All in all," he said, "the CCP views shipbuilding as one front in the 'economic warfare' it conducts against the USA and the West – and it has been hugely successful in strengthening itself and its relative position while beating down its adversaries."
For Newsham, resurrecting America's shipbuilding industry, both military and commercial, is a must. The economic benefits cannot be disputed. "Control and independence" are essential to the international trade network, he said, explaining that "a trading nation with global interests like the United States needs to have its own commercial fleet."
And with trading activity comes the need for security. "Enemies will try to interdict your trading activities, and your commercial ships," Newsham pointed out. "This requires a large enough navy to protect trade," which he asserted is "literally the lifeblood of the United States." For Newsham, "A powerful Navy and a large commercial fleet go hand in hand for a country like the United States."
Thus, a build-up of the U.S. Navy is "indispensable," according to Newsham. "Without a large enough and powerful enough U.S. Navy," he warned, "the United States could easily become a second-rate nation dominated by enemies with powerful navies that can – either individually or collectively – dictate how what and with whom America trades."
What's more, in a warfighting capacity, the retired Marine Corps officer said, "You have simply got to have enough ships to deploy as needed far-and-wide and [the ability] to concentrate them in force as needed."
"Technology does not make up for numbers, except perhaps if you're fighting pirates off of Somalia or Nigeria," he argued. "Even then the bad guys are getting technology that can cause even a modern Navy considerable trouble. We're seeing this phenomenon play out against the Houthis in Yemen."
"Even with Iranian help," Newsham explained, "the Houthis are a third- or fourth-rate force, but you can see how we need U.S. Navy ships in adequate numbers in order to defeat them and re-open a key global trade artery." For Newsham, it's worth noticing that "our European allies that have shrunken navies are basically of no help and would, by themselves, be unable to keep the Red Sea open."
"The lesson here: You must have numbers, and Mr. Trump is right to try to revive U.S. commercial and military shipbuilding capabilities."
Newsham is the author of the 2023 book "When China Attacks: A Warning to America."
