Trump administration takes action to impose port tariffs on Chinese ships

Trump Administration Moves to Impose Port Tariffs on Chinese Ships
April 18, 2025, by HABIBIC AVERAGE

The Trump administration is taking steps to implement tariffs on Chinese ships calling at American ports in an effort to address China’s dominance in the maritime and shipbuilding industries. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced plans for these fees following a Section 301 Investigation that found China’s practices to be burdensome on U.S. commerce.

The actions will be rolled out in two phases over a reasonable period, with the initial phase setting fees to zero for the first 180 days. Subsequently, fees will be imposed on Chinese vessel owners and operators based on net tonnage per U.S. voyage, gradually increasing over the following years. These measures aim to incentivize the use of U.S.-built ships and reduce reliance on Chinese vessels.

Additionally, the second phase of actions will introduce restrictions on transporting LNG via foreign vessels to promote the use of U.S.-built LNG vessels over a 22-year period. These initiatives mark a move towards enhancing American maritime industry competitiveness and reducing China’s influence in the sector.

The industry’s response to these tariffs has been mixed, with concerns about potential negative impacts on U.S. consumers, businesses, and exporters. However, the Trump administration is forging ahead with its plans to rebalance the maritime trade landscape and bolster the U.S. supply chain.