Optimism, With Some Uncertainty

The week of January 20, even the day of January 20, promises to be eventful, and all indications are that big changes are ahead for 2025. While the waterways of this country enjoy bipartisan support, every American and every sector of the economy will see changes in the year ahead.

Business and thought leaders, including many within the maritime industry, are optimistic. The inland waterways are vital to both our economy and national security, and President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration has promised a renewed focus on both. Trump ran as a pro-business, pro-defense “outsider” who promised to lower taxes, reform government bureaucracy and roll back non-business friendly regulatory initiatives of the previous administration.

Trump has encouraged oil and gas producers by promising to increase drilling and reverse obstacles to oil and gas production. His championing of “America first” likewise encourages Jones Act supporters.

Optimism.

But Trump has never been a doctrinaire conservative on trade. He calls himself a “tariff man” and has promised to intensify the use of broad tariffs to protect U.S. industries and rebalance trade relationships with both allies and adversaries alike.

Uncertainty.

Our locks, dams and federal waterways are enjoying a flood of federal funding from earlier bills. With credit due for investments from the previous administration, we are bullish on the future of our inland waterways. There is plenty of work still to do, and the new bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) provides grounds for optimism about the year ahead for the inland waterways.

Our waterways are a treasure, and our nation cannot be great without proper investment and management of these waterways. In the year (and years) ahead, we are hopeful our inland waterways get the investment and credit they deserve, without the regulatory obstacles they don’t.