US and China Escalate Trade War by Imposing New Port Fees on Each Other’s Ships

The United States and China have extended their trade war into maritime shipping by imposing new port fees on each other’s vessels.

“The United States and China have intensified their trade conflict by imposing new port fees on ocean shipping companies handling everything from crude oil to holiday goods”

EconoTimes

The U.S. is charging fees on Chinese-owned, operated, built, or flagged ships to support its domestic shipbuilding industry and reduce China’s dominance.

EconoTimes

China retaliated by levying charges on U.S.-owned, operated, built, or flagged vessels, starting at 400 yuan ($56) per net ton and rising to 1,120 yuan by 2028.

China’s fees include exemptions for Chinese-built ships and empty vessels entering for repairs.

Several reports place the rollout of these fees in mid-October, described as effective Tuesday.

Both sides frame their measures as defensive: Washington aims to bolster shipbuilders, while Beijing seeks to protect against what it calls discriminatory U.S. actions.

Despite the escalation, some sources note there is room for dialogue, including a potential late-October meeting between Trump and Xi aimed at easing tensions.

Analysts warn the new levies could distort global freight flows and add significant costs—millions of dollars per trip and billions across routes—while carriers reconfigure networks.

Estimates suggest China’s state-owned COSCO could shoulder nearly half of a $3.2 billion cost impact by 2026.

India Today

Major Western carriers like Maersk and CMA CGM have already reduced exposure on U.S. routes.

Some reports even cite immediate disruptions, including a 35% drop in scheduled arrivals at the Port of Los Angeles and pressure on shipping stocks.

These developments underscore fears of higher freight rates and inflationary pass-throughs.

The maritime tit-for-tat is unfolding amid broader trade pressures between the US and China.

Beijing has tightened export controls on rare earths.

Washington has imposed new tariffs on timber, kitchen cabinets, and upholstered furniture.

Former President Trump threatened further tariff increases.

Reports differ on the scale and timing of these tariffs, with some citing threats to double, triple, or raise tariffs to 100%.

Another report states that Trump's campaign pledge for 60% tariffs is now set to take effect in 2025.

Officials on both sides have signaled possible talks to calm markets.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated a potential late-October meeting between Trump and Xi in South Korea.

Beijing’s measure is highly structured operationally.

Reports say it applies at the first Chinese port of entry per voyage or for the first five voyages annually.

PressTV

It follows an annual billing cycle starting April 17.

The measure exempts Chinese-built ships and empty vessels entering for repairs.

Shipowners must report vessel details before arrival and pay the fees or risk suspension of import/export procedures.

U.S. charges were introduced earlier to curb China’s dominance and support domestic shipbuilding.

These U.S. charges target ships linked to China.

Beijing labels the U.S. moves as “discriminatory” and a breach of a maritime transport agreement.

This mirrors Washington’s framing that its fees defend U.S. industry.

The fallout is rippling through industry and markets.

“WORLDWEST ASIAASIA-PACIFICAFRICAUSEUROPEUKAMERICASSOCIETYARTSSPORTSCONVERSATIONS IRANPOLITICSECONOMYENERGYNUCLEAR ENERGYCULTUREDEFENSESPORTSDEFINITIVE REVENGEPEOPLE'S PRESIDENT SHOWS10 MINUTESAFRICA TODAYECONOMIC DIVIDEFACE TO FACEIN A NUTSHELLHIDDEN FILESIRANIRAN TECHIRAN TODAYMIDEASTREAMPALESTINE DECLASSIFIEDSPOTLIGHTBLACK AND WHITEISRAEL WATCHBROADCAST THE WEBEXPOSÉEXPLAINERBLACK BOXMOSCOW REPORTSOBHAL-AQSA FLOODUNSCRIPTEDWOMEN OF RESISTANCEINTERVIEWDISCOVER IRANATTRITIONTRUE PROMISE # China has declared it is prepared to “fight to the end” in a trade war with the United States, following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of new 100-percent tariffs on Chinese goods”

PressTV

China sanctioned five U.S.-linked subsidiaries of South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean over cooperation with U.S. investigations.

FX Leaders

Despite the sanctions, Hanwha’s entities won work to build a U.S.-flagged LNG carrier.

Hanwha Ocean’s shares fell nearly 6% on related announcements.

Beijing also launched a probe into the impact of a U.S. investigation on its shipping and shipbuilding sectors.

While some market coverage points to easing fears on certain days, others warn the maritime dispute could inflate costs and disrupt supply chains.

Officials are still considering late-October talks to prevent further escalation.