Effective Tuesday, new fees for U.S. ships arriving at Chinese ports have been implemented amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China. According to Chinese state media, these charges are intended to protect China’s shipping industry from what it describes as “discriminatory” measures, specifically targeting U.S.-owned, operated, constructed, or flagged vessels, while excluding Chinese-built ships.
This development is a response to an upcoming fee that the U.S. plans to impose on Chinese ships entering its ports, set to begin on October 14. Last week, Beijing announced these levies, coinciding with new restrictions on its rare earth exports. In reaction, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of imposing an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports.
Additionally, on the same day the new fees took effect, the U.S. enacted fresh tariffs on imported timber, kitchen cabinets, and upholstered furniture, predominantly sourced from China. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that both Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping are anticipated to meet in South Korea later in October, with hopes of reducing trade tensions between the two largest economies.
Bessent noted that the proposed 100% tariff is not predetermined and emphasized that communication channels have reopened, which may affect future negotiations. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Chinese commerce ministry reiterated China’s consistent position, suggesting that they are open to dialogue but will also respond firmly to confrontations. The spokesperson criticized the U.S. for attempting to negotiate while introducing new restrictive measures, asserting that this approach is not conducive to constructive engagement.
Chinese state media further reported that U.S. tariffs on Chinese ships violate a maritime transport agreement between the nations. In May, both countries had previously agreed to eliminate high tariffs on each other’s goods, raising concerns about the potential for significant trade disruptions. Currently, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods face an additional 30% levy compared to January levels, while Chinese goods entering the U.S. are subject to a 10% tariff.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3x1elkxvvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss