The United States has issued a stark warning about China's growing use of maritime power as an instrument of political coercion, with the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom telling an international forum that Beijing's strategy poses a challenge the world cannot afford to ignore. Ambassador Warren Stephens delivered the remarks to the International Maritime Organization Council, accusing China of turning ports, ships and supply chains into geopolitical leverage.
In a statement posted on Truth Social after his speech, Stephens said he spoke about China's systematic effort to use maritime power as an instrument of political coercion. He described Beijing's aggressive strategy of acquiring port concessions and infrastructure around the world not simply for commercial gain, but to extend its strategic reach and weaponize that access against sovereign nations. The warning comes as President Donald Trump continues to press Denmark and NATO for U.S. control over Greenland, citing Chinese and Russian threats to free navigation in the Arctic.
Stephens told the IMO that the United States is not a passive observer of maritime affairs and called America a cornerstone of the global maritime economy. He noted that the U.S. Maritime Transportation System supports $5.4 trillion in economic activity each year and nearly 30 million jobs. The ambassador urged IMO member states to closely scrutinize deals that allow foreign entities, especially state-linked enterprises, to operate critical port infrastructure.
Citing Panama as a recent example, Stephens pointed to a ruling by Panama's Supreme Court that found CK Hutchison's port concessions at the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals unconstitutional. These terminals sit at opposite ends of the Panama Canal, one of the world's most strategically important trade corridors. Stephens said China's response to the Panama ruling was swift and punishing, accusing Beijing of taking action against Panama-flagged vessels in a move the U.S. characterized as an attempt to undermine Panama's sovereignty and disrupt global supply chains.
What happened to Panama is a warning to every nation in this room, Stephens said. When a country allows a foreign power or its proxies to control its ports, it does not simply accept a commercial arrangement, he added. It accepts a vulnerability. The ambassador stressed that transparency, the rule of law, and genuine sovereignty are not obstacles to commerce but its foundation.
Stephens also highlighted the scale of China's maritime dominance, noting that China currently builds more than half of the world's ships and dominates the production of ship-to-shore cranes and shipping containers. He said the evidence is clear and growing that China uses its maritime and economic power to coerce, intimidate, and punish those who assert their sovereign rights. The Chinese government has routinely rejected such accusations, portraying its port, shipping and Belt and Road projects as commercial partnerships that support global trade and development.
The ambassador's warning comes as President Trump has made restoring American maritime leadership a national priority. Trump has continued peacemaking efforts in the Strait of Hormuz and pressed Denmark and NATO for U.S. control over Greenland due to Chinese and Russian threats to free navigation in the Arctic. Trump said at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, that Denmark does not spend money to really help Greenland, but it is an important part for the United States, and it is surrounded by Chinese ships and Russian ships. He argued that for global security, Greenland should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark.
Greenland's position between the Arctic and North Atlantic has made it a key piece of U.S. security planning. Trump also criticized Denmark for not cooperating with U.S. requests regarding Greenland, noting that with all the money the U.S. spends to help Europe with Russia, Europe is a very different place than it was 20 years ago. Denmark has vowed to defend Greenland after Trump reiterated U.S. interest in controlling the territory.
Stephens said the United States will continue contributing expertise, resources and leadership at the IMO, but warned that the rules-based maritime order cannot be taken for granted. A free and open ocean is not guaranteed, he said. It must be defended. The ambassador also said the U.S. would press for maritime security, sanctions enforcement, protection of flag state rights, freedom of navigation and updated standards on polar operations, autonomous vessels and cyber risk management.