President Donald Trump's administration is pushing a two-pronged strategy to boost domestic manufacturing and counter China's economic might. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy are championing nuclear-powered cargo ships and American steel as key pieces of that plan.
Nuclear Cargo Ships and Steel Dreams: Trump Team's Plan to Outdo China
MarketDash
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy tout nuclear-powered vessels and domestic steel as part of a strategy to counter China's dominance.
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Nuclear-Powered Vessels With Unlimited Range
In a video posted on X on Saturday, Duffy said the Department of Transportation (DOT) is fast-tracking construction of a new fleet of vessels that will help "dominate China" in the sector. The planned nuclear-powered cargo ships would have more cargo capacity because they wouldn't need conventional fuel tanks, could offer crossings up to 75% faster, and operate for 20 years without refueling. Duffy also touted a 2028 timeline: "The first NUCLEAR-POWERED vessel is set to be built in 2028."
Duffy had earlier shared details about incorporating small modular nuclear reactors for commercial shipping, with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) seeking industry input on how Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could help commercial cargo fleets.
Notably, China's state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) is the largest shipbuilding company in the world, accounting for more than 30% of global shipbuilding orders, according to a 2024 report by South China Morning Post.
Lutnick Touts Steel Push
On the other hand, Lutnick also took to X on Saturday, touting the U.S.'s domestic metal manufacturing push. "American workers are building massive steel components for our submarines, naval ships, and nuclear industry," he said, visiting a facility in Pennsylvania. He called it the "strength of American manufacturing."
The post comes days after U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed amid disagreements over tariffs and market access, including Washington's treatment of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Lutnick subsequently blamed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the breakdown, accusing him of prioritizing political ambitions.
On the other hand, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that the topic of medium- and heavy-duty pickup trucks was separate from the Section 232 tariffs on automobiles.
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