Shipping containers are seen at the Red Hook Marine Terminal in Brooklyn, New York in May 2025. Photo: VCG

 
When asked to comment regarding that the US will impose port fees on related Chinese vessels on October 14, and China has announced countermeasures in response, a Chinese Commerce Ministry (MOFCOM) spokesperson said on Sunday that China has repeatedly expressed its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the US' move to impose port fees on China-linked ships. The US practice severely violates the WTO rules and breaches the principle of equality and mutual benefit of the China-US Maritime Transport Agreement, and is a typical act of unilateralism.

Since the economic and trade talks in London, China has engaged in consultations and communications with the US on the measures mentioned above, provided a written reply to the groundless accusations against China in the Section 301 investigation report, and made recommendations of potential bilateral cooperation in related industries, the spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement on the MOFCOM's website on Sunday.

However, the US has "shown a negative attitude and willfully persists in implementing those measures, issuing a notice on October 3 setting out the specific requirements for imposing fees on Chinese vessels," the spokesperson said.  

In order to safeguard its legitimate and lawful rights and interests, China has to take countermeasures and decides to charge special port fees on US-linked vessels in accordance with the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on International Ocean Shipping and other laws and regulations, the statement noted. 

"China's countermeasures are necessary acts of passive defense and are aimed at maintaining the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries and enterprises, as well as the level playing-field of the international shipping and shipbuilding markets," the spokesperson said. It is hoped the US will face up to its mistake, move with China in the same direction, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultation.

On April 17, the USTR announced the final action of Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors and will impose port fees on related Chinese vessels from October 14. 

China's Ministry of Transport announced on October 10 that the country will charge special port fees on ships owned or operated by US enterprises, organizations and individuals starting October 14. The announcement came in response to the US decision to impose additional port fees on Chinese ships after a Section 301 investigation, according to the ministry.

Global Times