US, China impose port fees: Is a return to all-out trade war imminent?

"China and the US have started charging additional port fees on shipping vessels as trade tensions between the world's two largest economies soared back, following China's rare earth export controls in response to new trade restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. The port fees from both sides went into force on Tuesday and have caused fear among analysts, who say maritime trade has become a key battlefront between the two nations."

"A White House executive order named Restoring America's Maritime Dominance directed the US Trade Representative (USTR) to impose charges on owners and operators of Chinese-built, owned, or operated vessels entering the US by October 14 as follows: Vessel operators must pay $50 per net ton for Chinese-owned or operated vessels arriving at a US port, to be increased to $140 by April 2028."

"Vessel operators of Chinese-built vessels arriving at a US port must pay $18 per net ton or $120 per container, which will be increased to $33 and $250, respectively, by 2028 Fees are to be charged for a maximum of five times per year for individual vessels Long-term users of China-operated vessels carrying US ethane and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) are exempt till Dece"

China and the US have imposed reciprocal port fees on shipping vessels, intensifying trade tensions after China's rare earth export controls and prior US trade restrictions. The port fees took effect on Tuesday and have prompted concerns that maritime trade is a critical new battleground between the two economies. A White House order titled Restoring America's Maritime Dominance directed the USTR to impose charges on Chinese-built, owned, or operated vessels entering US ports by October 14. The order sets escalating per-ton and per-container fees through 2028 and limits fees to five charges per vessel per year. Exemptions apply for some long-term users carrying ethane and LPG.

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