Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Palestinian shot and killed by IOF east of Al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Occupation forces opened machine gun fire toward outskirts of Aitaroun as locals headed for olive harvest.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone drops bomb at outskirts of town of Blida as people head for olive harvest.
Israeli media: Rafah crossing was not opened as planned, and no date has yet been set for the resumption of movement through it.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: There will be no change in diplomatic relations with Israel until it complies with the agreements.
Maduro: We say to the people of the United States that we do not want war in the Caribbean or in South America.
Maduro: The sadists in America believe they can issue orders for the world to follow, that they rule while others must adapt. But the first to know this is false are the American people themselves.
Caracas: US maneuvers seek to legitimize regime change and seizure of Venezuelan oil resources.
Caracas: The announced US military deployment in the Caribbean region constitutes a policy of aggression and a threat against Venezuela.
Venezuela: We reject Trump's statements allowing US intelligence agencies to operate in Venezuela.

US to impose fees on China-linked ships, urges allies to follow suit

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Reuters
  • 7 Mar 2025 12:33
4 Min Read

The United States' executive order against Chinese-flagged or built ships threatens allies to take similar measures or face retaliation.

Listen
  • x
  • President Donald Trump shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (AP)
    President Donald Trump shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (AP)

The United States is preparing to impose docking fees at its ports on any ship belonging to a fleet that includes Chinese-built or Chinese-flagged vessels, while also threatening allies to adopt similar measures or face potential retaliation, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a draft executive order.

US President Donald Trump's administration is crafting the order as part of efforts to revive domestic shipbuilding and curb China's so-called influence over the global shipping industry.

Addressing China's expanding maritime dominance and the decline in US naval readiness is one of the few issues where both Republican and Democratic lawmakers find common ground.

Chinese shipbuilders now account for over 50% of the global merchant vessel cargo capacity produced annually, a sharp rise from just 5% in 1999, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, overtaking shipbuilders in Japan and South Korea, while US shipbuilding, which peaked in the 1970s, now represents only a small fraction of global output.

The draft executive order, dated February 27 and reviewed by Reuters on Thursday, proposes levying fees on any vessel entering a US port if it is part of a fleet that includes Chinese-built or Chinese-flagged ships, regardless of the ship’s origin.

The document builds on a recent proposal by the US Trade Representative’s office to impose fees of up to $1.5 million on Chinese-built vessels docking at US ports.

However, the draft executive order does not specify a threshold, unlike the USTR proposal, which suggested applying fees when Chinese-built ships made up at least 25% of a fleet. It also does not define the exact fee amounts or how they would be calculated.

The measure could lead to significant financial burdens for major shipping companies, including China’s COSCO, Switzerland’s MSC, Denmark’s Maersk, and Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine, as well as operators transporting bulk food, fuel, and automobiles.

Related News

Wall Street in trouble as Trump escalates tariff war with China

Von der Leyen faces no-confidence vote for 'surrendering Europe' to US

Earlier this week, MSC CEO Soren Toft indicated that the world’s largest container carrier might reduce its port calls in the US to minimize exposure to the new charges.

The draft order also directs US officials to press allies and partners to implement similar restrictions or risk facing retaliatory actions.

Additionally, it proposes tariffs on Chinese cargo-handling equipment, citing concerns over national security and economic stability.

“The national security and economic prosperity of the United States is further endangered by the People's Republic of China's unfair trade practices in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors,” the document claimed.

China counters US tariffs

On Tuesday, China imposed 15% tariffs on US chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton in addition to a 10% tariff on soybeans, sorghum, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, set to go into effect on March 10, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry Statement.

"The US' unilateral tariff measures seriously violate World Trade Organization rules and undermine the basis for economic and trade cooperation between China and the US," China's Ministry of Commerce stated, emphasizing that "China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests."

On February 4, China imposed a 15% tariff on US coal and liquefied natural gas, in addition to a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural equipment, and certain cars, which went into effect on February 10, in response to Trump launching his first 10% tariff on Chinese imports.

As Washington and Beijing escalate the trade war between the two countries, Trump said that he is in no rush to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, as fears of a trade war between the two countries rise.

Trump justifies his tariffs on China by claiming that it is responsible for the fentanyl epidemic in the United States, something Beijing said is a US problem, emphasizing that China has done its part in combating fentanyl trafficking.

  • US tariffs
  • United States
  • US
  • trade war
  • China
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the media wait for Palestinian prisoners and injured at the Rafah border crossing in Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Rafah crossing to reopen for travelers from Gaza: Reuters

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

'Israel' may resume Gaza war if Hamas breaches ceasefire, Trump says

Mourners attend the funeral of slain captive Captain Daniel Peretz at Mt. Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam Brigades hand over all living Israeli captives

Armored vehicles drive through a street during a government-organized march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US approves covert CIA action in Venezuela: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS