Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025

This bill aims to protect American-owned property abroad. It tells the U.S. government to identify foreign ports and port facilities that were taken over by certain foreign governments. Then, it requires the President to block any ship that loaded or was held at those ports from bringing goods into the U.S., docking passenger ships, letting passengers off, or getting repairs or fuel here. The Department of Homeland Security must create and publish the list of “prohibited” ports and facilities within 60 days of the law taking effect.

It also updates U.S. trade law so that taking the assets of a U.S. person—through nationalization or other unfair treatment—is treated as an unreasonable or discriminatory act. This change helps the U.S. respond using trade tools. The bill defines “prohibited property” to include ports, harbors, marine terminals, and related infrastructure, and defines a “covered foreign trade partner” as a country in the Western Hemisphere with a free trade agreement with the United States.

Key points

• Who is affected: Ships that used listed foreign ports; U.S. importers/exporters; passengers on affected cruise routes; U.S. persons with assets abroad.
• What changes: The government will list prohibited ports; ships linked to those ports are barred from U.S. imports, passenger docking, and services; expropriation of U.S. assets becomes a trigger for trade action.
• When: Within 60 days after the law takes effect, the list of prohibited property must be published, and the restrictions then apply.