Tensions have escalated once again in the trade war between China and the United States. Beijing announced on Friday, October 10th, that it will impose “special fees” on American vessels in its ports, in retaliation for similar measures announced by the United States back in April 2025.
Vessels owned by US companies, built in the United States, or chartered by American firms will be required to pay a fee of 48 euros per ton when docking at Chinese ports. This tariff will increase to 78 euros next April and will rise annually thereafter. This measure will take effect on October 14th, the same day that the similar US measures, ratified in April, come into force.
These “special port fees” will apply to each voyage to China, not to each port call if the vessel makes multiple stops within China, with a maximum of five impositions per year, clarified the Ministry of Transport. A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Transport described Beijing’s move as a “legitimate step to protect the legal rights and interests of Chinese shipping companies.”
Chinese Dominance in the Shipbuilding Industry
“We urge the United States to immediately correct its actions and cease the unreasonable restrictions imposed on the Chinese maritime industry,” the spokesperson emphasized.
For Washington, the goal is to counter Chinese dominance in commercial shipbuilding and revitalize the US shipbuilding industry. Indeed, the American shipbuilding industry, which was powerful after World War II, now accounts for less than 1% of global production. The market is dominated by China, South Korea, and Japan.
This new Chinese measure, following the one announced on Thursday regarding tightened restrictions on rare earth exports, shows that Beijing has no intention of backing down in its standoff with Washington, just days before a planned meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping scheduled for late October in South Korea.