China Makes US Port Fees Official After Last Week’s Warning

Following last week’s warning, China’s Ministry of Transport has officially implemented new special port fees targeting US-owned, operated, or built vessels beginning Oct. 14. The move responds directly to the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) Section 301 investigation and subsequent sanctions against China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.

The new directive, titled “Implementation Measures for Collecting Special Port Fees from US Vessels,” was circulated to all provincial transport departments and maritime safety administrations, confirming that the policy first announced last week is now officially in force.

According to the official document, US-linked ships docking at Chinese ports will face steep, annually increasing port dues designed to “safeguard the interests of the development of China’s shipping industry,” MBN reported.

Fee schedule:

• US$56 per net ton from Oct. 14, 2025

• US$90 per net ton from April 17, 2026

• US$124  per net ton from April 17, 2027

• US$157 per net ton from April 17, 2028

The measures apply to vessels owned, operated, or built by US entities, as well as those in which US shareholders hold 25% or more equity. Chinese-built ships under US operation are exempt, as are vessels entering China solely for repairs. Each vessel will pay for up to five voyages per year, with the maritime administration authorized to deny port entry to ships failing to comply.

The Ministry stated the measures aim to “safeguard the interests of China’s shipping industry” and ensure that US economic coercion does not compromise the country’s maritime development.

Alongside the new fees, China’s Ministry of Transport, in coordination with its Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), announced the launch of an investigation into the impact of US Section 301 measures on China’s shipping and shipbuilding supply chains. Authorities invited companies and associations to provide evidence of any US discriminatory practices or entities assisting in such actions.

This follows China’s announcement of broad export controls on rare earth materials, requiring global approval for exports of products containing Chinese-processed rare earths — a move that US officials have called “economic coercion.”

US Response and Tariff Escalation

US President Donald Trump, on his Truth Social account, condemned China’s response, describing it as “very hostile” and warning of financial countermeasures, including a massive tariff increase on Chinese products. He accused Beijing of attempting to “hold the world captive” through export controls on rare earths and strategic minerals, and hinted that the US could leverage its own “stronger monopoly positions” in retaliation.

Trump also said he might cancel a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC Summit in South Korea, calling Beijing’s actions a “sinister and hostile move.”

Trump also wrote on Truth Social that beginning on Nov. 1, 2025, the United States will impose a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, in addition to existing duties, and will introduce new export controls on critical software.

Trump denounced Beijing’s decision as “an extraordinarily aggressive position on trade” and “a moral disgrace in dealing with other nations.”

The escalation continued since last week when the US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer told Fox News on Saturday, Oct. 11, that China had “ordered the entire world to submit for approval” any exports involving rare earth materials touched by China. Greer said the measure could affect “cars, microwaves, and even defense materials,” calling it a clear case of “economic coercion.”

The next day, Greer told Fox News that Washington had not been notified of Beijing’s decision and warned that China had “wildly overstepped what’s acceptable.” He said the United States had immediately sought dialogue but that China “deferred,” describing the move as “a power grab that won’t be tolerated.”

Today, Greer appeared on CNBC, revealing that in May 2025, the two countries had reached a tentative deal in Geneva to suspend certain tariffs in exchange for China relaxing its rare earth export restrictions. “Last week, the Chinese decided to re-expand their controls on rare earth minerals, out of nowhere,” Greer sais. He described the move as “completely disproportionate” and claimed China’s restrictions now cover both high-tech and low-tech goods containing even trace amounts of rare earths.

In a subsequent social media post, President Trump sought to ease concerns, writing: “Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine! President Xi just had a bad moment. The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it.”

China’s Official Reaction

In a press statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian reaffirmed China’s rejection of US sanctions, emphasizing that “threatening high tariffs is not the right way to deal with China.” Lin urged Washington to “correct its approach and act on the common understandings reached by both presidents.”

He added that if the United States maintains its course, China will “take firm measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”