China is systematically leveraging its maritime power as an instrument of political coercion, a strategy that the United States "cannot afford to ignore," warned U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Warren Stephens. Beijing is aggressively acquiring port concessions and infrastructure globally, not merely for commercial benefit but to extend strategic reach and "weaponize that access against sovereign nations," Stephens stated in remarks to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council and subsequently on social media.
Stephens detailed that China's actions include turning ports, ships, and supply chains into tools of geopolitical leverage. He pointed to a recent ruling by Panama's Supreme Court that found concessions for CK Hutchison's port terminals at opposite ends of the Panama Canal unconstitutional. According to Stephens, China's "swift and punishing" response to this ruling, which he characterized as taking action against Panamanian-flagged vessels, demonstrated 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, urging IMO member states to scrutinize deals involving foreign entities operating critical port infrastructure.
Ambassador Stephens emphasized the U.S. commitment to maritime affairs, noting that the U.S. Maritime Transportation System supports $5.4 trillion in economic activity and nearly 30 million jobs annually. He stated that "a free and open ocean is not guaranteed. It must be defended," and that the U.S. would continue to contribute expertise, resources, and leadership at the IMO.
These warnings coincide with former President Donald Trump's renewed focus on Greenland's strategic importance. Trump reiterated his interest in the U.S. controlling Greenland, citing threats to free navigation in the Arctic posed by Chinese and Russian vessels. "For global security, Greenland 'should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark,'" Trump stated during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. He suggested that U.S. control of Greenland would be significant given its location between the Arctic and North Atlantic, and highlighted perceived insufficient Danish investment in the territory.
"President Trump has made restoring American maritime leadership a national priority," Stephens said in his remarks. He noted that China builds more than half of the world's ships and dominates the production of ship-to-shore cranes and shipping containers, underscoring the scale of China's maritime industrial capacity.
While the Chinese government has consistently rejected accusations of coercive practices, portraying its overseas investments as commercial partnerships, Stephens urged vigilance. "When a country allows a foreign power or its proxies to control its ports, it does not simply accept a commercial arrangement. It accepts a vulnerability," he concluded.