By PAUL WISEMAN WASHINGTON (AP) — Vowing to stop machines from taking their jobs, 45,000 U.S. longshoremen are threatening to go on a strike that would shut down ports on the East and Gulf coasts and could damage the American economy just as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. Related Articles National News | Peter Yarrow of folk-music trio Peter, Paul and Mary dies at 86 National News | US job openings rise unexpectedly to 8.1 million in November, a sign the labor market is resilient National News | New Orleans attack came at a time of political heat, and transition, for the FBI National News | Man pleads not guilty to burning woman to death on a New York City subway train National News | Strongest winds in a decade to hit Southern California, bringing extreme fire risk If the standoff sounds familiar, it’s because the same dockworkers — members of the International Longshoremen’s Association — staged a three-day walkout last fall.