China's Shipbuilding Supremacy: Navigating U.S. Naval Challenges

As the geopolitical landscape evolves, two critical challenges persist: the potential for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, and the United States' inability to match China's shipbuilding capabilities. According to the Congressional Research Service, by 2030, projections indicate that China will possess a fleet of 435 ships, while the U.S. fleet is expected to decrease to approximately 290 ships. This disparity presents a significant national security risk to Taiwan and U.S. regional allies, especially considering that the Navy reported to Congress in 2023 that the battle force goal requires 381 ships to address the Navy’s future warfighting demands