Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill would stop ships from entering U.S. waters or unloading cargo if they have recently visited certain foreign ports. It specifically targets ports in the Western Hemisphere that were taken over or seized from American owners by a foreign government.
• The President would have the power to identify these ports if a country that has a trade deal with the U.S. takes property owned by an American person or company. This includes cases where a government takes over the land that provides the only way to get to a port or terminal.
• The goal is to protect American businesses that invest in other countries. By blocking ships that use these seized ports, the U.S. puts pressure on foreign governments to either return the property or pay the American owners a fair price for what was taken.
• There are a few exceptions to the rule. Ships can still enter U.S. ports in an emergency to save lives or the vessel. Also, if the original American owner gives the ship permission to use the port, the ship will not be banned from entering the United States.
• A port would stay on the banned list until the foreign country fixes the problem. This could mean giving the property back, paying the full value of the property in cash, or reaching a settlement that the President agrees is fair.

Impact Analysis

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