American lawmakers are conducting a visit to South Korea and Japan to explore opportunities for the United States to leverage these allies' shipbuilding expertise and capacity. This initiative aims to enhance U.S. shipbuilding capabilities, which currently lag behind China's, which operates 35 functioning naval shipyards compared to the U.S. fleet of only four. The effort is part of a broader strategy to strengthen national and economic security by investing in American shipyards and revitalizing the domestic shipbuilding industry. This priority has been emphasized by President Donald Trump and is supported by U.S. defense officials, including Senate Armed Services Subcommittee Chair Rick Scott, who recently toured U.S. and Japanese naval maintenance facilities. The U.S. Congress plans to review shipbuilding reforms following a summit between President Trump and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. Lawmakers and defense leaders stress the importance of robust military funding, as reflected in the FY26 Defense Bill, to ensure the U.S. can deter emerging threats and maintain its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region.