HONG KONG (AP) — China has hit U.S.-owned vessels docking in the country with tit-for-tat port fees, in response to the American government’s planned port fees on Chinese ships, expanding a string of retaliatory measures before trade talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
They would take effect on Oct. 14, the same day when the United States is due to start imposing port fees on Chinese vessels.
China’s Ministry of Transport said on Friday in a statement that its special fees on American vessels are “countermeasures” in response to “wrongful” U.S. practices, referring to the planned U.S. port fees on Chinese vessels.
The ministry also slammed the United States’ port fees as “discriminatory” that would “severely damage the legitimate interests of China’s shipping industry” and “seriously undermine” international economic and trade order.
The port fees announced by Beijing on Friday mirrors many aspects of the U.S. port fees on Chinese ships docking in American ports.
HONG KONG (AP) — The United States has been hit by China. S. . In response to the American government’s proposed port fees on Chinese ships, -owned vessels docking in the nation with tit-for-tat port fees, extending a series of retaliatory measures prior to trade talks between the U.S. A. Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.
ships built in the United States and those owned or operated by American businesses or people. A. or flying the U.S. flag, would have to pay 400 yuan ($56) per net ton per voyage if they docked in China, the Chinese Ministry of Transport announced Friday.
According to the ministry, the fees will increase annually until 2028, when they will reach 1,120 yuan ($157) per net ton, and they will be applied on the same ship for a maximum of five trips annually. They would go into force in October. 14, which is also the day that the US is expected to begin charging Chinese ships port fees.
China’s special fees on American vessels are “countermeasures” in response to “wrongful” U.S. A. methods, with reference to the intended U. S. port charges for Chinese ships.
Additionally, the ministry denounced US port fees as “discriminatory,” claiming they would “seriously undermine” global economic and trade order and “severely damage the legitimate interests of China’s shipping industry.”.
Prior to an anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in South Korea that starts at the end of October, China has announced a number of trade restrictions and measures. On Thursday, Beijing announced new limitations on the export of certain lithium batteries and associated production equipment, as well as new restrictions on the export of rare earths and related technologies.
Beijing’s announcement of port fees on Friday reflects many aspects of the U.S. S. . port charges for Chinese vessels that arrive at American ports. Chinese-owned or operated ships will be assessed $50 per net ton for each trip to the United States under Washington’s proposals. A. which, until 2028, would increase by $30 per net ton annually. The maximum number of charges per year for each vessel would be five.
China’s new port fee is “not just a symbolic move,” according to Reddal’s deputy chief executive, Kun Cao. Specifically, it targets any ship with significant U. A. links — flag, build, ownership, or operation — and increases sharply with ship size. “”.
The “real bite is on U.”. S. . -owned and operated vessels,” he stated, adding that, by beneficial ownership, North America makes up about 5% of the global fleet, a significant amount but not as much as that of Greek, Chinese, and Japanese shipowners.
But, according to Reddal, the US built less than ten commercial ships last year and has only recently accounted for 0.1 percent of the world’s commercial shipbuilding market.
However, shipping experts have stated that the U. A. According to a report released last month by shipping data provider Alphaliner, port fees on Chinese vessels are expected to have little effect on trade and freight rates because some shipping companies have been redeploying their fleets to avoid the additional cost. S. . The world’s top 10 carriers may still have to pay up to $3.02 billion in port fees next year.
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