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Donald Trump, the US President, signed a presidential letter on the 13th (local time) allowing two US military vessels to be floated by foreign shipyards in a bid to revitalize the "Maruga" (MASGA) project in South Korea. However, analysts suggest that the possibility of foreign-built US military vessels being floated is contingent upon the US law prohibiting such actions and potential opposition from Congress.

The US has strictly prohibited foreign-built naval vessels since the Defense Shipping Act of 1930, which includes a Defense Shipping Act and congressional opposition. Furthermore, the act restricts foreign-built naval vessels from being floated in foreign shipyards. The US Department of Defense legislation also prohibits the overseas floating of US naval vessels.

The White House's annual report, "The National Ocean Execution Plan," revealed that only six out of 66 shipyards in the US can float large ships over 400 feet (122m). The shortage of skilled labor is identified as the primary issue. During the G7 summit held in Evian, France in June, US President Trump asked President Emmanuel Macron whether he could quickly float 10 US naval vessels.

Trump replied, "Of course, we will do our best." The White House has been considering ways to bypass the US law prohibiting foreign-built naval vessels during the international controversy. Trump's presidential letter today is seen as an attempt to find a way through the controversy. The letter explicitly instructs the Department of Defense to pursue a more direct investment in US shipbuilding.

The letter aims to float the new class of naval vessels in South Korea and then have them built in US facilities to boost the shipbuilding industry and workforce. The budget for the next year's Department of Defense includes budgeting for the overseas floating of naval vessels in alliance countries. The White House mentions four conditions: acquiring a new shipyard or increasing ownership or majority stake in an existing shipyard, employing and training US workers, transferring shipbuilding technology and techniques to the US shipyard, and building a supply chain in the US.

Of the domestic shipyards, Hanwha Ocean (Gijang Shipyard) meets all four conditions, having acquired 100% of the stake in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The company has also signed a joint design contract with Raytheon Systems and signed agreements for shipbuilding technology transfer with Delware County Community College. The company has also signed agreements with the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce for supply chain cooperation.

However, it remains uncertain whether the US President's demand to float naval vessels overseas can overcome legal opposition, congressional resistance, and domestic opposition from the shipbuilding industry.