America’s major maritime labor unions are calling on the Trump administration and Congress to mandate that all Venezuelan crude imported into the U.S. be carried exclusively on U.S.-flag ships with American crews.
Unions say the rule would help revive the long-declining U.S. commercial shipping fleet, strengthen national security, and support American mariner jobs.
This push signals a growing effort to tie foreign policy and energy imports directly to rebuilding America’s maritime power, a move that could redefine how the U.S. uses trade to strengthen its shipping industry.
The proposal faces resistance from oil companies concerned about higher transport costs and limited U.S.-flag capacity.