Ships & Chips: America’s Competition With China
China now accounts for more than half of global shipbuilding tonnage, while America’s commercial shipbuilding footprint is only a fraction of the global market. At the same time, advanced semiconductors have become critical to artificial intelligence, economic competitiveness, and national security, making access to cutting-edge chips another major point of U.S.-China competition. Ships and chips may sound like two different fights, but they are really two fronts in the same competition over industrial capacity, advanced technology, and national power.
The Ships: China spent decades building up its maritime industrial base while America’s shipbuilding capacity withered. Our Maritime Revival Action Center breaks down the SHIPS for America Act and Shipbuilding Investment and Workforce Act, two proposals aimed at rebuilding domestic shipyards, strengthening the maritime workforce, and expanding American capacity. Read the full breakdown and see what Congress is considering as lawmakers debate the future of American shipbuilding.
>> Take Action: Tell the Senate to prioritize an American Maritime Revival!
The Chips: The race for AI is also a race for the advanced chips that power it—and China wants access to the same cutting-edge technology driving American innovation. Our AI Chips Action Center explains the Chip Security Act, AI OVERWATCH Act, and MATCH Act, which address chip tracking, export controls, domestic access, and China’s access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Read more about the three bills and the broader fight over who gets access to America’s most advanced AI technology.
>> Take Action: Tell the Senate to keep our AI chips out China's hands!