Take the example of a modern container ship that was manufactured in South Korea, owned by a Danish company, flying a Panamanian flag, transporting cargo between Singapore and Rotterdam, and operated by a crew of mostly Indians and Filipinos.
There is absolutely nothing about this vessel, its crew, or this sailing that constitutes a national interest of the United States of America ... especially when you consider that every company involved in the production and operation of this ship has taken specific steps to avoid doing business under U.S. tax laws and business regulations.
And yet here you are, claiming that the U.S. taxpayer has an obligation to pay for naval assets to protect this ship under some kind of idiotic "freedom to trade."
Yes !