[adgjlsfhk1]

> Lets end protectionism, stop burning that $99, and outsource all military production to China and Russia. What could go wrong? /s

the problem is that laws like the Jones act are a bad form of protectionism. If the goal is to have more ships made in America, the government can always start building and selling ships (potentially at a loss if that's what is needed to make american shipping competitive). The problem with laws like the Jones act is that it solves one problem (American ships are expensive), but creates a worse one (American shipping is expensive).

[themaninthedark]

Is the real barrier to US domestic shipping the cost of the ship or is it the cost of the crew?

The Jones Act specifies that it must be American made ship and American crew.

My bet is that the main issue is that we don't want to pay labour what it is worth.