Trump Acknowledges U.S. Lags Behind China in Naval Shipbuilding
U.S. President Donald Trump has admitted that the United States trails China in naval shipbuilding capacity, even as he reaffirmed America’s overall military superiority.
Speaking during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House, Trump stated, “We are far ahead of China militarily. We lead in every kind of military area — except ships. But we will catch up to them.”
He also revealed that the U.S. possesses classified weapons systems developed under his leadership, saying, “I started their development four years ago,” while emphasizing ongoing efforts to strengthen America’s defense capabilities.
Trump’s comments come amid renewed trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. Both nations have recently imposed retaliatory tariffs, with China targeting U.S. semiconductors and automobiles, and the U.S. responding with new levies on Chinese electronic components and restrictions on technology investments.
The escalating economic measures mark another chapter in the long-running rivalry between the world’s two largest economies, now extending from trade and technology to military competition.
