The Trump administration has started a new plan called the "Maritime Action Plan." This plan will help America be more independent. It also aims to make the country safer. The plan wants to reduce the need for foreign ships. These foreign ships carry a lot of America's trade.
A key part of the plan is a new fee for foreign ships. These ships will pay money when they enter U.S. ports. The fee will depend on how much cargo the ship carries. This fee could make a lot of money. It might bring in billions of dollars over ten years. About half of U.S. trade uses ships. Most of these ships are not built or owned by America.
The administration says this reliance on foreign ships makes the U.S. weak. They want to take back control of trade routes. This plan is also about national security. It wants to make American industry stronger. Building and using U.S. ships will give America more control. It could also help with the cost of U.S. Navy ships.
The plan also includes creating special zones for growth. It will also improve training for workers. This will help create skilled American sailors and shipbuilders. More U.S.-built ships are important. This plan is a big step to improve U.S. shipbuilding. It will also help with maritime security.