Defending American Property Abroad Act

Official: Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026

IntroducedJanuary 15, 2026

Transportation and Public WorksMarine and inland water transportationPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsNavigation, waterways, harborsProperty rightsFree trade and trade barriers

Why This Matters

This bill updates rules about which vessels can enter U.S. ports, especially in cases where U.S. property is threatened abroad. It helps ensure that American interests are defended in international waters.

If you own property in a foreign port, this bill could help protect your interests against foreign government actions.

Affects: American businesses and individuals with property in foreign ports.

Summary

Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026This bill authorizes the President to prohibit the entry of a vessel into the United States if the vessel has transited any U.S. port, harbor, or marine terminal that has been nationalized or expropriated (e. g., seized) by a Western Hemisphere country that has a free trade agreement with the United States. Under the bill, the President may prohibit the entry and operation of a vessel if it has called at any port, harbor, or marine terminal that was owned, held, or controlled by a U.S. entity or individual, but has been nationalized or expropriated by the government of a country that is located in the Western Hemisphere and has a free trade agreement in effect with the United States. The prohibition ends when the President determines that (1) the applicable country has restored ownership of the property that had been nationalized or expropriated, (2) the applicable country has provided mutually acceptable compensation for the nationalized or expropriated property, (3) the conditions for the prohibition are no longer satisfied, or (4) the dispute has been otherwise resolved to the satisfaction of the President. The bill permits certain foreign vessels that are otherwise prohibited from entering the United States under this bill or current law to enter if the vessel is experiencing an emergency (involving the vessel or an individual on the vessel) and in certain instances where access to a covered facility was granted by a U.S. property owner.