A New Battlefield in the Trade War! China’s Shipping Sector Strikes Back with a Heavy Blow

Recently, citing the so-called “Section 301 investigation,” the U.S. government announced that it would impose a 100% surcharge on port service fees for vessels owned or operated by Chinese companies, Chinese-flagged vessels, and vessels built in China. This move marks a further escalation of U.S.-China trade tensions. In response, China’s Ministry of Transport has, around the same time, announced the imposition of special port charges on vessels flying the U.S. flag, built in the U.S., or owned or operated by U.S. companies. This ongoing battle over international shipping rules not only deals a blow to U.S.-China maritime trade but also poses a threat to the stability of global supply chains.

Background of the incident: The U.S. side’s unilateral provocation and China’s reciprocal countermeasures.

On October 14, 2025, the United States imposed discriminatory fees on Chinese vessels under the guise of “fair trade.” In response, China, in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on International Maritime Transport and the fundamental principles of international law, simultaneously launched countermeasures by imposing special port charges on U.S.-related vessels. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce emphasized that this move is “legitimate self-defense,” aimed at safeguarding a fair competitive environment in the international shipping market, and called on the U.S. side to correct its wrongful actions and resolve differences through dialogue.

Previously, China and the U.S. have clashed multiple times over tariff issues. In April 2025, the U.S. raised its tariff rates on China to 125%. After China retaliated in kind, both sides temporarily suspended further tariff hikes in an effort to create room for negotiations. However, the U.S.’s recent unilateral move targeting the shipping sector once again exposes its intention to undermine bilateral trade stability.

Global shipping is hit hard, and trade costs between China and the U.S. have surged.

On October 14, after the U.S.-China ship and port fee policies targeting each other take effect, what kind of impact will they have on both countries and the global shipping industry?

According to a forecast report by Clarkson Research, a leading global research institution in the shipping and offshore industries, under the U.S. port fee policy, the capacity of the tanker fleet potentially affected accounts for 15% of the global total, while that of bulk carriers accounts for 4% and container ships for 7%. In the broader market, the operational costs of vessels affected by this policy will rise significantly, forcing a reallocation of shipping capacity. As a result, market stratification may intensify, market efficiency could decline, and corporate investment decisions as well as market confidence may be further undermined.

In the short term, U.S. importers will face higher costs, putting upward pressure on prices of commodities such as soybeans that rely on sea transport—ultimately borne by consumers worldwide. In the long term, the accelerating decoupling of supply chains between China and the U.S. will drive fragmentation of global trade and industrial relocation, reshaping the landscape of the port and shipping industries.

In an interview with the media, Li Yantong, an associate professor at Dalian Maritime University, pointed out that if China fails to adopt reciprocal measures, Chinese-owned vessels may be forced to withdraw from China-U.S. shipping routes, and their market share will likely be taken over by carriers from the United States and its allies. International shipping is one of the most globally integrated industries, and its operation relies on efficiency and established rules rather than politics and confrontation. However, under pressure from the U.S. “port surcharge” measures, global shipowners may circumvent the U.S. charging rules institutionally by adjusting vessel deployments, registration locations, flag states, or order sources. “If China does not take reciprocal measures, we could find ourselves in a passive situation: Chinese-owned vessels operating on routes to and from the U.S. will gradually be forced to exit this market,” Li Yantong said.

The China Economic Weekly of the People's Daily commented that the U.S., under the guise of “reciprocal tariffs,” is in fact pursuing protectionism, which not only harms China-U.S. economic and trade relations but also undermines the multilateral trading system.

International Public Opinion: Unilateralism Is Widely Disapproved of
Cooperation is the right path.

According to multiple international scholars cited by Huanqiu.com, the U.S. abuse of “long-arm jurisdiction” has already sparked dissatisfaction among many countries. A report by China Youth Daily and China Youth Online indicates that the global shipping industry is generally concerned that the U.S.-China confrontation could lead to a decline in trade efficiency and regulatory chaos.
Experts from the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations stated that the United States is attempting to suppress China in a bid to uphold its hegemonic status. However, in the context of globalization, “decoupling and severing supply chains” are neither realistic nor widely supported by the international community. China has consistently advocated resolving differences through equal-footed consultations and promoting the building of an open world economy.

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As the world’s two largest economies, China and the United States bear a special responsibility for maintaining stability in international trade. The U.S.’s unilateralist actions not only undermine mutual trust between the two countries but also erode the very foundations of the global governance system. China’s reciprocal countermeasures are both a necessary step to safeguard its own interests and an important practice for upholding international rules. In the future, the ongoing competition between China and the United States in areas such as shipping and trade will likely persist. However, only by adhering to equal consultation and respecting multilateral rules can we inject certainty into global economic development. The international community should jointly oppose trade protectionism and promote the establishment of a new global economic and trade order that is inclusive, beneficial to all, and stable.

Source: Ministry of Transport, China News Service, Global Times, Sino-Ocean Shipping Company Cover image generated by AI

Editor: Yu Li

Proofreading: Zeng Xiong

Reviewed by: Zhang Weitian