The United States has condemned China’s decision to impose sanctions on five U.S. subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, a major player in Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation. The move, announced by China’s Ministry of Commerce on the 14th of last month, comes amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
U.S. Response to Chinese Sanctions
On the 20th, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer denounced China’s actions, stating that “China’s threatening attempts will not prevent the U.S. from rebuilding its shipbuilding base and appropriately responding to China’s attempts to dominate key industrial sectors.” Greer reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to “protecting American companies, securing supply chains, and encouraging allies to invest in the future of U.S. industry.”
This marks the second time the U.S. government has condemned Beijing’s actions against Hanwha Ocean, following a similar statement from the State Department on the 16th.
USTR Statement on Economic Coercion
In an official statement, the USTR described China’s measures as “part of a broader pattern of economic coercion aimed at influencing U.S. politics and deterring foreign companies from investing in key American industries, including shipbuilding.” While the statement did not directly mention Hanwha Ocean by name, it emphasized that the U.S. “will continue to protect its companies and encourage allied investment in rebuilding America’s industrial base.”
Background on Chinese Sanctions
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that it had invoked its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law to penalize five U.S. subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean. Among them is Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania a key symbol of the Make American Shipbuilding Great Again (MASGA) initiative and a focal point of Korea-U.S. cooperation in the shipbuilding sector.
The sanctions decision follows growing friction over industrial policies and maritime technology collaboration between the U.S., South Korea, and China.
South Korea-U.S. Solidarity
In response, the U.S. State Department underscored the importance of standing by South Korea, stating: “This is another example of China’s long-standing coercive behavior toward South Korea. It reaffirms the need to strengthen economic cooperation with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. We will stand firmly with South Korea.”
China’s sanctions on Hanwha Ocean subsidiaries highlight the deepening tensions between major global shipbuilding powers. As the U.S. seeks to rebuild its maritime manufacturing base under initiatives like MASGA, Washington’s strong response signals its intent to resist what it views as Beijing’s economic coercion while reinforcing alliances with key partners such as South Korea.
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Source: THE CHOSUN DAILY
