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.
This bill protects American property abroad by defending it against foreign seizure or expropriation.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits foreign vessels that have visited a U.S. port or a port previously owned by a U.S. entity after being nationalized or expropriated by a Western Hemisphere country with a U.S. free trade agreement from entering the United States.
Watch Items
•The bill primarily focuses on preventing the entry of foreign vessels rather than defending American property.
•The bill does not actually 'defend' American property, but rather allows the president to take a particular action in response to expropriation.
•The bill does not address the original seizure or expropriation, but rather restricts the entry of vessels into U.S. territory.