The USN mission statement does support freedom of the seas. As a USN veteran, I can assure you that one of the primary missions is keeping the seas open and free.
Mission Statement
The United States is a maritime nation, and the U.S. Navy protects America at sea. Alongside our allies and partners, we defend freedom, preserve economic prosperity, and keep the seas open and free. Our nation is engaged in long-term competition. To defend American interests around the globe, the U.S. Navy must remain prepared to execute our timeless role, as directed by Congress and the President.
https://www.navy.mil/About/Mission/
I did read the USN statement, having cited it to you when you first had cited the US Coast Guard statement. The nub of the issue is "American interests." Not all agree on what the phrase means, and how far into the world it extends.
As USN, that's great for you. I was a US Army type; great for me. Our 'credentials' have nothing to do with the issue. The issue is the question: who pays?
Specifically in this thread and case about Mærsk, who pays for the Mærsk announced "strategic vision" to "protect." Their actual stance is not their statement. Their actual stance is in large part, the US pays. And as a supposed part of CENTCOM, we are the front line folks, not the Europeans whose "action" is generally missing in these news items.
Unanswered: 1) From which country was this Mærsk cargo loaded? 2) To which country is the Mærsk cargo destined? 3) Where are the other European nations in this "action?" the first two remain not answered, while the last question about the Europeans is, as so often, "behind us."
For what it’s worth, the United States is one of the only countries in the world that has refused to ratify the current U.N. “open seas” treaty.
The benefits of trade makes for better partners between countries, especially our own. Lowers the rate of conflicts and allows us to create better relations and even establish bases.