March 4, 2025 — On 24 February, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a nearly 200-page investigation into China’s shipping dominance, proposing, among other suggestions, that the U.S. charge up to USD 1.5 million (EUR 1.43 million) for Chinese-built vessels and USD 500,000 (EUR 478,642) for vessels with Chinese-built ships among their fleet to enter the nation’s ports.
The proposed fee would respond to what the USTR says are unfair shipping practices carried out by China, according to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.