Bill would bar ships from seized foreign ports over land grabs
In committeeS. 2368Latest action
Sponsor: Bill Hagerty · Senator · TN
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Official title: Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Security & foreign affairs
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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Foreign seizure of American-owned port land after Jan. 1, 2024 could get ships banned from U.S. business.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill lets the Department of Homeland Security label a foreign port "prohibited property" if a Western Hemisphere government with a U.S. free trade agreement seizes, restricts, or cancels contracts on American-owned land needed to access that port after January 1, 2024. The president would then have to block ships that used that port from bringing goods to the U.S., dropping off cruise passengers, or getting repairs, fuel, or supplies at U.S. ports. It also updates Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to treat such property seizures and discriminatory treatment as "unreasonable or discriminatory" trade practices subject to tariffs.
Who does it affect?
Affects shipping companies, cruise lines, importers, and U.S. businesses that rely on goods passing through affected foreign ports; appears aimed at disputes over ports near the Panama Canal, though no country is named.
Why does it matter?
Ships tied to designated ports would lose access to U.S. commerce, disrupting trade routes, cruise operations, and supply chains dependent on those ports.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 21, 2025
- Senate committeeYou are here · Jul 21, 2025
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.