(Maritime Executive) USTR Sets Escalating Fees on Chinese-Built Ships, Operators, LNG, and PCTCs

(Excerpt from: https://maritime-executive.com/article/ustr-sets-escalating-fees-on-chinese-built-ships-operators-lng-and-cars)

After a 13-month investigation and complaints filed by five U.S. trade unions, the U.S. Trade Representative released its proposal calling for escalating tariffs on Chinese-built ships and the companies that operate them designed to address the perceived unfair Chinese trade practices. While the fees are not as large as the proposal in February 2025, they are broader targeting both LNG exports and vehicle carriers. The effort is tied to President Donald Trump’s call to rebuild the American shipbuilding industry.

In light of the information obtained during the investigation and taking into account public comments, the U.S. Trade Representative determined that China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce and is therefore actionable. Specifically, USTR found China’s targeting for dominance unreasonable because it displaces foreign firms, deprives market-oriented businesses and their workers of commercial opportunities, and lessens competition and creates dependencies on China, increasing risk and reducing supply chain resilience. China’s targeting for dominance is also unreasonable because of Beijing’s extraordinary control over its economic actors and these sectors.

USTR asserts that China’s targeting for dominance burdens or restricts U.S. commerce by undercutting business opportunities for and investments in the U.S. maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors; restricting competition and choice; creating economic security risks from dependence and vulnerabilities in sectors critical to the functioning of the U.S. economy; and undermining supply chain resilience.