USTR Chief Criticizes China's Sanctions on Hanwha Ocean Subsidiaries as Move to Deter U.S. Investment

Greer Issues Statement: "Intended to Deter Investment"
U.S. State Department Also Criticizes Efforts to Undermine Cooperation

Jamison Greer, the representative of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), recently criticized China's sanctions imposed on five U.S. subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, calling them an attempt to deter investment in the United States.

The "TS State of Maine" ship docked at Hanwha Philly Shipyard located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

In a statement released on the 20th (local time) under Greer's name, the USTR pointed out, "China's recent retaliatory actions targeting private companies around the world are part of a broader campaign of economic coercion aimed at influencing U.S. politics and controlling global supply chains."

The statement added, "This is intended to discourage foreign companies from investing in the U.S. shipbuilding sector and other key industries."

Greer emphasized, "Such attempts at intimidation will not stop the United States from rebuilding its domestic shipbuilding industrial base or from responding appropriately to China's efforts to reshape core industrial sectors."

He continued, "We remain fully committed to defending domestic companies, securing stable supply chains, and actively encouraging allied investment in America's future industries."

Previously, on the 16th, the U.S. State Department also responded to media inquiries regarding China's sanctions on Hanwha Ocean, describing it as "an irresponsible attempt to interfere with the operations of private companies and undermine U.S.-Korea cooperation to revitalize shipbuilding and manufacturing in the United States."

The State Department further stated, "China's actions only reaffirm the importance of strengthening economic cooperation with U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region and represent a recent example of China's longstanding pattern of attempting to coerce Korea. We stand firmly with Korea."

Earlier, on the 14th, China's Ministry of Commerce announced sanctions against five U.S. subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean. Hanwha Ocean is a core company in the MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) project, a U.S.-Korea shipbuilding cooperation initiative. The Chinese government designated Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hanwha Shipping, Hanwha Ocean USA International, Hanwha Shipping Holdings, and HS USA Holdings as targets of these sanctions, banning their transactions and cooperation within China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.