U.S. State Department Criticizes China’s Sanctions on Hanwha Ocean: "An Attempt to Undermine U.S.-South Korea Shipbuilding Cooperation"

Sanctions Against Private Companies Reflect China’s Longstanding Pattern
State Department: "We Will Stand Firmly with South Korea"
South Korea and U.S. Discuss MASGA Cooperation Strategies

The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump has condemned China's recent sanctions against Hanwha Ocean, calling it an attempt to undermine shipbuilding cooperation between South Korea and the United States.

Hanwha Ocean Seoul Headquarters Building. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

On October 16 (local time), in a spokesperson's response to media inquiries, the U.S. State Department described China's actions as "an irresponsible attempt to interfere in the operations of private companies and to weaken U.S.-Korea cooperation aimed at revitalizing American shipbuilding and manufacturing."

The State Department also added, "China's actions only reaffirm the importance of strengthening economic cooperation with U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, and represent the latest example in China's longstanding pattern of coercion against South Korea." The department stressed, "We stand firmly with South Korea."

Previously, China announced sanctions targeting five U.S. subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean. This marks the first time the Trump administration has issued an official statement of criticism regarding the matter. Hanwha Ocean is a leading company representing 'MASGA' (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again), which signifies shipbuilding cooperation between South Korea and the United States.

The sanctioned companies include Hanwha Shipping LLC; Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which President Lee Jaemyung visited in August; Hanwha Ocean USA International LLC; Hanwha Shipping Holdings LLC; and HS USA Holdings.

South Korea and the United States discussed concrete measures for MASGA cooperation at the White House. Presidential Chief of Staff for Policy Kim Yongbeom, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan, and Trade Negotiation Head Yeo Hankoo met with Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to exchange views on shipbuilding cooperation between the two countries.