China, US Suspend Maritime Sanctions After Trade Deal

In a coordinated move marking the first major de-escalation in the China-US maritime trade dispute, both countries announced the suspension of reciprocal measures targeting their respective shipping, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. The decision follows the consensus reached during the 2025 China-US Kuala Lumpur Economic and Trade Consultations and signals a temporary easing of tensions that had rattled global supply chains for much of the year.

China’s Ministry of Transport confirmed on Nov. 10, 2025, that starting from 13:01 local time, it would suspend for one year all measures related to the collection of special port fees for ships linked to the United States, as well as an ongoing investigation into US trade practices in the maritime and shipbuilding industries. The suspension applies to:

• Announcement No. 54 (2025): “Collection of Special Port Fees for Ships to the US”

• Notice Jiaobanshui [2025] No. 59: “Implementation Measures for the Collection of Special Port Fees for Ships to the US”

• Announcement No. 55 (2025): “Investigation into the Impact on the Security and Development Interests of the Shipping Industry, Shipbuilding Industry, and Related Supply Chains”

The move accompanies Washington’s own suspension of its Section 301 tariffs and fees targeting China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. According to a Federal Register notice from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the United States will suspend all related measures from 12:01 a.m. EST on Nov. 10, 2025, through Nov. 9, 2026, as directed by US President Donald Trump following his agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The USTR’s action halts duties and fees on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes and cargo handling equipment and pauses the imposition of additional tariffs outlined in its April and October 2025 determinations. The decision came after public consultations and follows new international commitments to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity, including US$500 billion in Japanese investments and US$150 billion in South Korean investments in US shipyard modernization.

The Chinese measures being suspended were introduced just a month earlier, on Oct. 14, 2025, imposing escalating port dues on US-linked vessels-US$56 per net ton initially, rising to US$157 by 2028. These were designed to counter Washington’s Section 301 findings that accused China of “targeting the maritime and shipbuilding sectors for dominance,” MBN reports.

Both sides have agreed to continue negotiations under Section 301 procedures, with the USTR pledging to monitor progress and review whether to extend the suspension or resume measures before Nov. 10, 2026.

Diplomatic Breakthrough in Busan

The coordinated suspension comes on the heels of a high-level meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping held at the end of October in Busan, South Korea, where both leaders reached a series of agreements aimed at reducing trade frictions and stabilizing diplomatic relations.

During the 100-minute meeting, Trump announced that China would delay its restrictions on rare earth exports for one year, while the United States would immediately reduce tariffs on Chinese goods linked to the fentanyl trade from 20% to 10%. He also confirmed plans to visit China in April 2026 and said Beijing would resume large soybean purchases.

Beijing confirmed the accords, adding that both nations agreed to extend for one year the suspension of reciprocal tariffs and retaliation measures. Washington also paused the expansion of its export control list targeting Chinese companies, a policy that had previously drawn strong opposition from China.

The leaders further reinstated the framework for TikTok’s sale in the United States and agreed to cooperate on fentanyl control, agricultural trade, and corporate dispute resolution.