US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is likely to explore partnerships with South Korean and other international companies for shipbuilding cooperation. This initiative forms a key part of the broader strategy to significantly strengthen and modernize the United States Navy.
President Trump’s statements were made during the high-profile Defense and Innovation Summit, held at the US Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. These remarks underscore America’s strategic intent to expand its defense cooperation, particularly with South Korea, in revitalizing and enhancing its naval shipbuilding sector.
“We have to build our Navy… We got to get it going. So, we’re going to probably look at some of these companies that are coming in from South Korea and other places, and they’re working with us on ships,” President Trump stated at the summit, highlighting the potential for international collaboration in naval vessel construction.
He further elaborated on the need for new naval assets, adding, “We’re going to also build. We’re going to also buy some ships that are made outside of the area… We need a lot of ships for our Navy despite the fact we have the greatest navy in the world. But our ships are getting older, and we really got out of that business.” This indicates a dual approach of domestic construction and strategic international procurement to address the aging US Navy fleet.
The precise meaning behind his reference to ships “made outside of the area” currently remains unspecified.
Earlier in the month, a senior South Korean presidential official indicated to reporters that President Trump appears receptive to the idea of US naval vessels potentially being built in South Korea, signaling a significant shift in defense procurement strategy.
