US imposes escalating tariffs on Chinese ships calling in American ports

The White House announced that owners and operators of Chinese-made ships will pay new fees when they call at US ports. This measure is scheduled to take effect within 180 days, with the fees gradually increasing.

The Office of the US Trade Representative said that Chinese owners and operators of ships not manufactured in China will also be affected by this measure.

These fees will be imposed for each visit to the United States—not for each US port visited—and a maximum of five times per ship per year, according to Agence France-Presse.

The US Trade Representative also intends to impose specific fees on foreign-made ships carrying vehicles, which will also take effect within 180 days, as well as fees for ships carrying liquefied natural gas.