Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill targets foreign countries in the Western Hemisphere that have free trade agreements with the U.S. and have seized or nationalized American-owned land since January 1, 2024. Ports accessible only through that seized land would be labeled 'prohibited property.'
• Any ship that loads cargo or docks at a prohibited port would be completely banned from entering the United States — no importing goods, no dropping off cruise passengers, and no stopping for fuel, repairs, or maintenance at American docks.
• The Secretary of Homeland Security, working with the Treasury and State departments, would have 60 days after the bill becomes law to identify and publicly list all prohibited properties in the Federal Register.
• The bill also amends the Trade Act of 1974 to classify the seizure of American assets abroad as an 'unreasonable or discriminatory' trade practice, giving the U.S. government new legal tools — including potential tariffs — to respond when Americans' property rights are violated overseas.
• The bill has bipartisan support, introduced by Senators Hagerty and Kaine along with six other cosponsors from both parties, and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.