China has announced retaliatory measures against the additional port fees recently imposed by the United States on Chinese vessels, calling the move an act of “legitimate self-defence” to uphold fair competition in the global shipping and shipbuilding sectors.
In a statement released on Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce condemned Washington’s decision as a “typical unilateral action, obviously biased in nature,” claiming it severely undermines the interests of Chinese companies.
To counter the US move and safeguard its domestic maritime and shipbuilding industries, China will introduce special port fees targeting vessels of US interest. These include: Ships flying the US flag, Vessels built in the United States, and Ships owned or controlled by American companies.
The ministry stated that the new fees will be implemented “in accordance with China’s international shipping regulations” and are intended to “protect legality and balance in the global shipping market.”
This latest development signals escalating trade frictions between the world’s two largest economies, with the maritime sector emerging as a new battleground in their ongoing economic dispute.