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: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

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

Honduras secures US tariff exemption amid new trade restrictions

India scraps F-35 deal with US as Trump slaps tariffs

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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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