Beijing [China]: China has strongly opposed the United States’ recent decision to impose additional port fees on Chinese-built or -operated ships docking at US ports, warning that the move could disrupt global supply chains, raise shipping costs, and increase inflation in the US.
🗣️ China: Move Will Hurt US Economy, Not Help Shipbuilding
At a press conference on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized the US move, stating:
“Measures such as imposing port fees and levying tariffs harm the US itself as well as others. They disrupt global shipping and supply chain stability, increase inflationary pressures, and hurt American consumers and businesses.”
Lin further argued that these steps will fail to revive the US shipbuilding industry and called on Washington to “respect facts and multilateral rules.”
🇺🇸 US Port Fee Policy: What It Means
According to a Federal Register notice published by the US Trade Representative (USTR), the US will begin imposing fees on all Chinese-built or owned ships docking at American ports.
- Fees will be based on net tonnage or goods volume per voyage.
- Rollout to begin in approximately 180 days.
- Policy to be implemented in phases and may escalate over time.
🗨️ Trump: Confident in ‘Very Good’ Trade Deal
Former US President Donald Trump, during a joint press event with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the White House, stated:
“We’re going to make a deal. I think we’re going to make a very good deal with China… very little problem making a deal with Europe or anybody else.”
Trump also highlighted that the US is responding to China’s retaliatory tariffs, which have reached up to 245%, up from a previous 145%, on some US imports.
🌐 Global Trade Impact
Analysts suggest the new US measures could have ripple effects across global shipping networks, with possible implications for freight costs, consumer prices, and bilateral trade tensions.