WASHINGTON D.C., April 17 — The Trump administration has announced new port fees targeting Chinese-owned and operated ships, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing U.S.–China trade dispute and a renewed effort to revive the American shipbuilding industry.
According to an official notice published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the new fees will take effect on October 14 and will be based on a ship’s tonnage. Chinese vessels will be charged $50 per net ton, with the fee scheduled to increase by $30 per ton annually over the next three years.
This latest policy replaces an earlier plan that proposed flat-rate fees of $1.5–$3.5 million per port call, which has since been shelved. The revised structure will apply once per voyage, rather than per port, in a move designed to be both economically impactful and administratively manageable.
"Ships and shipping are vital to American economic security and the free flow of commerce," said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. "The Trump administration's actions will begin to reverse Chinese dominance, address threats to the U.S. supply chain, and send a demand signal for U.S.-built ships."
The move is part of a broader U.S. strategy to curb China's influence in global shipping and reinforce domestic maritime capabilities. However, it has already sparked a strong backlash from Beijing.
In a statement to CNN, China’s Commerce Ministry voiced strong disapproval, stating, "China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to this." The ministry added that China will “resolutely take necessary measures to safeguard its own rights and interests.”
This development adds a fresh layer of tension to the U.S.–China trade conflict, signaling the Trump administration's willingness to expand tariffs and fees to strategic sectors beyond consumer goods and technology.
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