The trade war between the US and China is escalating again. The two countries have started imposing additional port fees on ships engaged in maritime transport. The decision threatens global shipments carrying everything from vacation products to oil and turns international sea routes into a new front in the trade war.
Last week, China’s restrictions on exports of rare earth elements and US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose additional tariffs of up to 100% on Chinese goods brought tensions to a peak.
Although both sides emphasized on Monday that “the door to dialogue is open” to reassure investors, the reciprocal moves created great uncertainty in global shipping.
China announced that the new taxes will only apply to ships owned, operated, or built in the US, and that Chinese-built ships will be exempt. These fees will be collected on the first port of entry, covering five voyages per year.
The US also announced a similar fee policy earlier this year to break China’s dominance in the global shipbuilding and logistics sector.
China responded to this decision with retaliation on the same day.Xclusiv Shipbrokers stated that this “retaliation symmetry” is dragging the two economies into a “maritime tax spiral”, risking disruption to global freight flows.
Experts predict that the Chinese firm COSCO, in particular, could bear half of the additional cost of $3.2 billion by 2026.
Trump administration, In response to China’s restrictions on strategic minerals, the US threatened new export controls and 100% tariffs. It also warned that sanctions could be imposed on countries supporting the UN plan to reduce environmental emissions in maritime transport.
According to experts, “the weaponization of trade” is turning maritime transport into not just an economic but also a geopolitical tool.
