At the very highest levels, both sides have expressed concerns about maritime security and have been conjuring up plans for re-invigorating US-flag commercial shipping, with positive spin-offs for military applications. In the next few years, regardless of show wins on November 5th, look for security concerns to exert an outside influence on the US maritime scene.

The subject of tariffs on imports has also come up, with Trump most vocal about using restrictions on trade as part of his policies to bring manufacturing back to the States.

However, earlier this year, the Biden administration, where candidate Kamala Harris holds the Vice President role, set in motion a set of measures aimed at reducing imports of Chinese-produced electric vehicles (100 % tariff), a lithium-ion batteries for EV’s (25%) and a 50% tariff on photovoltaic solar cells. In 2025 and 2026, additional measures will come into effect, including a 50% levy on Chinese manufactured semi-conductors.

Ship-to-shore container cranes produced in China will see tariffs coming into force during the next two years. Trump, looking southward, has been threatening to put tariffs on goods coming in from Mexico; however, “near-shoring” of some production (to Mexico, from China) has offered reductions on reliance on Asian production.