Alliance of Like-Minded Countries Maritime Freedom and Security Accord: A Blueprint for Reciprocal Trade and Global Maritime Leadership

 

Alliance of Like-Minded Countries Maritime Freedom and Security Accord: A Blueprint for Reciprocal Trade and Global Maritime Leadership

Executive Summary

 

Alliance of Like-Minded Countries Maritime Freedom and Security Accord: A Blueprint for Reciprocal Trade and Global Maritime Leadership

Executive Summary
The Alliance of Like-Minded Countries Maritime Freedom and Security Accord unites liberty-focused nations—United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Costa Rica, Greenland, Norway, India, and Argentina (provisional)—to transform maritime trade through reciprocal reforms, starting with the U.S. Jones Act. By allowing Alliance-flagged ships in each member’s domestic waters, adopting metric standards, scaling container ship production, flying a unifying Alliance flag, and establishing Alliance Certificates of Standards for ships and crews, the Accord shifts global shipping from Chinese dominance to Alliance control. It delivers $15 billion in annual savings, 50,000-100,000 jobs by 2035, and a $3 trillion trade bloc, while preserving sovereignty. For the U.S. and Canada, with vast internal waterways, mutual access and certified standards boost economic gains, ensuring high-quality Alliance vessels replace uncertified or Chinese fleets, aligning with the Charter of Liberty and Allies of Free States.

 

The Challenge: A Shrinking Maritime Pie and Varied Standards
The U.S. Jones Act (1920) restricts domestic shipping to U.S.-built, owned, and crewed vessels, inflating costs and stifling growth. Similar restrictions in other members’ cabotage laws limit Alliance trade. Additionally, some nations operate vessels and crews under traditional practices that may not meet consistent safety or quality standards, creating trust gaps. Key issues include:

• High Costs: U.S. coastal shipping costs $8,000-$10,000 per container (vs. $3,000 to Europe), raising prices in Hawaii and Puerto Rico by 15-20%. Canada’s internal waterway trade faces similar inefficiencies.
• Small Industry: The U.S. builds <1% of global ships (80 vessels/year), Canada ~20, others up to 100. Only 180 U.S. Jones Act ships serve domestic routes, dwarfed by China’s 50% share.
• Chinese Grip: China controls 40% of $14 trillion in global maritime trade, using Chinese-built and -crewed ships. Alliance nations rely on these or uncertified vessels for inter-member trade, losing economic leverage.
• Container Shortage: A 7% trade surge (2024, UNCTAD) strains ship supply, with Alliance nations producing ~300 ships annually against a need for 1,000 by 2030.
• Standards Variance: Across members, high-quality ships and trained crews coexist with vessels/crews under traditional practices, risking safety and reliability on Alliance routes. Without reciprocal reforms and unified standards, Alliance ships (e.g., U.S. in Canadian waters, Canadian in Australian waters) can’t compete or inspire trust, leaving China’s fleet to dominate. The Accord aims for “25% of a massive pie,” not “100% of a small one.”

The Solution: Reciprocal Reforms and Certified Alliance Standards
The Accord fosters mutual trade access, secure shipping, and Alliance-led maritime excellence through five pillars:

1. Reciprocal Domestic Trade Access (Article 2)
   • Policy: From January 1, 2027, all members reform domestic shipping laws (e.g., U.S. Jones Act, Canada’s Coasting Trade Act) to allow Alliance-flagged ships to transport goods and passengers in their waters without restrictions, treated equally to national ships.
   • U.S.-Canada Focus: The U.S. and Canada, with extensive internal waterways (e.g., Great Lakes, Mississippi, St. Lawrence), open these to allies, gaining access to other members’ coastal and inland routes.
   • U.S. Shipyard Boost: $1 billion/year (2027-2030) modernizes U.S. yards (e.g., Ingalls) for container ships, co-built with allies, targeting 5% of the $150 billion global market ($7.5 billion). 50% of U.S. route crew jobs stay American during the pilot.
   • Impact: Cuts shipping costs by 50% ($4,000/container), saving $10-$15 billion annually. Triples U.S. ship output (240 ships by 2030), creates 30,000 jobs, and enables Alliance ships to replace Chinese fleets.
2. Alliance Certificates of Standards (Article 4)
   • Policy: By 2026, members establish Alliance Certificates of Standards for ships and crews, ensuring vessels meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) benchmarks (SOLAS, MARPOL) and officers/crews hold equivalent qualifications (e.g., per STCW-aligned training). Non-certified vessels/crews, operating under national traditions, are excluded from Alliance routes but may continue domestic operations per local laws.
   • Details: A Standards Review Panel verifies certifications annually, recognizing national programs (e.g., U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Transport Canada) to maintain sovereignty. Certified ships/crews operate across Alliance waters with trust, ensuring safety and reliability.
   • Impact: Builds a skilled Alliance workforce (10,000 new mariners by 2030), distinguishes high-quality Alliance ships from uncertified ones, and fosters mutual confidence.
3. Alliance Flag (Article 5)
   • Policy: All Alliance-certified ships fly an Alliance flag below their national flag by 2027, signaling collective protection and standards. A committee designs it by July 2026, using liberty symbols (e.g., anchor).
   • Impact: Deters pirates (10% fewer attacks beyond 20% from patrols), even for smaller flags (e.g., Costa Rica), and promotes trade unity. National flags remain primary, reflecting sovereignty and reputation.
   • Example: A South Seas pirate avoids a certified ship, recognizing the Alliance flag’s backing by U.S., UK, and other navies.
4. Container Ship Surge (Article 7)
   • Policy: An Alliance Maritime Shipbuilding Initiative builds 500 container ships by 2030 (200 U.S., 150 from other members, 100 Norway), funded by $5 billion in tax credits ($2 billion U.S.), replacing Chinese ships for Alliance trade.
   • Impact: Meets trade boom (doubling U.S./Canadian coastal trade, $1 trillion Alliance-wide by 2030), creates 50,000 jobs (30,000 U.S.), and captures 15% of global shipbuilding ($22 billion). A 2027 pilot tests 10 new certified ships, saving $2 billion.
5. Metric Standards and Security (Articles 3-4)
   • Metric Adoption: All Alliance-certified ships/ports use metric units (kilometers, metric tons) by 2027, with a 2026 Maritime Component Guide (e.g., 25mm=1-inch pipes) cutting costs 10%. Supports U.S. metric transition (July 2026).
   • Security: Naval escorts prioritize container ships on routes like U.S.-Canada, reducing piracy losses (132 cases in 2024) by 20% and insurance costs by 15% ($500 million saved).
   • Impact: Aligns U.S./Canada with other members, saves $1 billion in retooling, and secures certified Alliance ships, outcompeting Chinese fleets.

Benefits: Economic, Strategic, and Citizen-Focused

• Economic: $15 billion annual savings lower prices (e.g., Canadian tech, Costa Rican coffee). U.S./Canadian exports grow by $20 billion by 2030, building on Trump’s 2025 UK deal ($8 billion saved). Shipbuilding and crewing create 50,000 jobs (30,000 U.S.).
• Strategic: Shifts 20% of global trade ($3 trillion) to certified Alliance ships, countering China’s 40% dominance. Reciprocal access strengthens U.S.-Canada waterway trade and invites Japan, Chile to join.
• Sovereignty: Mutual standards and national flags ensure autonomy, with certified ships/crews upholding trust without centralized control.
• Citizens: Cheaper goods empower families. Secure, certified Alliance-crewed ships uphold freedoms in the Charter of Liberty.
• Workforce: 10,000 new certified mariners by 2030 support economic and naval resilience across the Alliance.

Implementation: Fast-Track to a Rising Tide

• 2025: Trump announces Accord at a U.S. port. Task force (US, Canada, others) finalizes reciprocal reforms, certifications, and metric guide. $2 billion budgeted for U.S. yards.
• 2026: Signed in Miami (April). Alliance flag and Certificates of Standards designed. Metric and crew training begin ($200 million).
• 2027: One-year pilot with 20 certified ships (10 new container ships) on U.S./Canadian/other routes, saving $2 billion, creating 2,000 jobs. Naval exercises cut piracy 20%.
• 2030: 500 certified ships built, handling $3 trillion in trade. Alliance shipbuilding hits 15% of market.
• Costs: $5 billion (subsidies, training, certifications), offset by $20 billion trade gains by 2030.

Why It Works for the Alliance
The Accord raises all boats by ensuring reciprocal access, certified standards, and Alliance-led fleets. For the U.S. and Canada, opening waterways secures access to other members’ routes, boosting trade and jobs. Certified ships/crews operate safely across Alliance waters, while non-certified vessels continue under national laws, preserving sovereignty. The Alliance flag unites the bloc, deterring threats and inviting trade, while metric standards align with allies. For Trump, it’s a “Trump Trade Fleet” legacy, tied to his UK deal and tariffs (50% on EU, 145% on China). For citizens, it’s affordable goods, secure seas, and a stronger Allies of Free States.

 

Conclusion
The Maritime Freedom and Security Accord is a cornerstone of the Charter of Liberty, uniting free states for prosperity and security. Through reciprocal reforms, certified ships/crews, 500 new vessels, metric standards, and the Alliance flag, it creates a $3 trillion trade bloc, 50,000-100,000 jobs, and $15 billion in savings. By 2030, certified Alliance ships replace Chinese and uncertified fleets, ensuring economic and strategic gains. Signed in 2026, piloted in 2027, this Accord delivers 25% of a massive maritime pie, raising all boats that float.

 

 

 

Curtis Neil 06/12/2025