BEIJING: China has announced that it will begin charging US ships docking at Chinese ports starting Tuesday, in direct retaliation for Washington’s imposition of similar fees on Chinese vessels earlier this year.
In a statement on Friday, the Chinese Transport Ministry said the US fees, imposed in April, “seriously violate the principles of international trade” and the China-US Maritime Shipping Agreement, causing “serious damage” to bilateral maritime commerce.
According to the Anadolu news agency, under the new policy, US vessels will be charged 400 yuan ($56) per net ton, slightly higher than the $50 per net ton currently levied by the United States on Chinese ships. The Chinese ministry said the costs will increase in the coming years as part of a phased response.
The fees will apply to vessels owned or operated by companies or individuals with at least a 25% US ownership share, as well as to ships built in the United States or flying the American flag.
Escalation in Trade Tensions
The US government introduced its own charges on Chinese-built vessels in April, following a review by the US Trade Representative’s office under both the Biden and Trump administrations. The review concluded that China’s policies and practices distort competition and “unreasonably burden” American maritime trade.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China dominates 53.3% of global shipbuilding. In comparison, the US accounts for just 0.1%—a disparity analysts say limits Washington’s leverage in maritime disputes.
China’s Transport Ministry said its decision was a “necessary and proportionate countermeasure” designed to safeguard national and commercial interests.
Part of a Wider Economic Pushback
The new fees come amid escalating trade and technology frictions between the world’s two largest economies. Earlier this week, Beijing tightened export restrictions on rare earths and related technologies, which are critical to high-tech industries including electronics, electric vehicles, and defense manufacturing.
At the same time, Chinese regulators have stepped up legal scrutiny of major US tech firms, a move seen as a pressure tactic ahead of upcoming bilateral trade negotiations.
Analysts say the port fee decision underscores Beijing’s strategy of “reciprocal deterrence”—matching Washington’s measures to demonstrate parity in economic power and signaling it will not back down amid growing trade hostilities, reports Anadolu.
