China is taking preemptive action against the US’s plans to hike port fees for China-linked tonnage.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree over the weekend which states that China will take necessary countermeasures against countries or regions that impose or support discriminatory bans, restrictions, or similar measures targeting Chinese operators, vessels, or crew engaged in international maritime transport and related services.
The US Trade Representative is due to impose port fees from October 14, though the final rules remain unpublished. US Customs & Border Protection is working on a collection system.
The opaqueness of the incoming legislation has led some to argue that, like other negotiating tactics that the Donald Trump trade team has adopted this year, the October 14 deadline may well be extended, or even scrapped.
“Not everyone is convinced that the October 14 USTR port call fees on China-made vessels and operators will materialise, as the issue may be part of the ongoing US-China negotiations,” commented Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, a box booking platform in a note to clients earlier this month.
