Hanwha Defense USA Hires Checkmate Government Relations to Lobby Washington
Hanwha Defense USA has retained Checkmate Government Relations for $150,000 under a contract spanning June to August, updating a lobbying arrangement registered with the U.S. federal government, The Chosun Ilbo reported.
Lobbying Contracts and Political Ties in Washington
The lobbying firm Checkmate Government Relations employs Charles McDowell, who has ties to Donald Trump Jr., alongside Christopher LaCivita Jr., whose father served as co-campaign manager for the 2024 presidential campaign. According to federal lobbying disclosures filed on the 20th, the contract targets defense and trade policy relating directly to the company’s maritime expansion in the United States.
Checkmate maintains a prominent presence on Washington’s K Street alongside firms such as Ballard Partners, Mercury Public Affairs, and Miller Strategies. Beyond its representation of foreign defense contractors, Checkmate also represents private equity firm MBK Partners and Young Poong in ongoing corporate governance disputes.
Hanwha invests $5 billion to expand Philadelphia shipyard
The lobbying push accompanies Hanwha’s ongoing acquisition efforts involving Austal USA, a shipbuilder based in Mobile, Alabama, that constructs vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. Hanwha is currently conducting due diligence and negotiating the purchase of Austal’s American division.
If the acquisition succeeds, Hanwha will combine Austal’s Alabama facilities with the Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania, which the South Korean industrial group acquired in 2024. Hanwha is investing $5 billion to expand infrastructure at the Philadelphia shipyard.
What agencies and shipyards does Hanwha target?
How much is the lobbying contract worth?
The contract between Hanwha Defense USA and Checkmate Government Relations is valued at $150,000 for the period covering June through August.
Which shipyards does Hanwha currently own or seek to buy?
Hanwha acquired the Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania in 2024 and is currently negotiating the purchase of Alabama-based Austal USA.
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