The United Steelworkers union (USW) will ask US President Joe Biden to open a trade investigation into alleged Chinese unfair economic practices in the shipbuilding and maritime logistics sectors.

In an article published in The Financial Times, USW and other unions are reported to be filing a petition with the US Trade Representative outlining alleged discriminatory practices that have helped China dominate global shipbuilding.

According to USW president David McCall, the US was once a leader in the commercial shipbuilding industry, but over the past two decades China has made huge investments in shipbuilding and engaged in predatory trade practices.

According to Clarksons Research, a maritime consultancy, in the last 20 years China has gone from producing roughly 12% of global commercial ships by tonnage to more than 50% in 2023.

The USW petition will claim that Chinese shipbuilders have benefited from protectionist government policies, including preferential financing ranging from state...