The United States is preparing to impose docking fees at its ports on any ship belonging to a fleet that includes Chinese-built or Chinese-flagged vessels, according to a draft executive order, a
The United States is preparing to impose docking fees at its ports on any ship belonging to a fleet that includes Chinese-built or Chinese-flagged vessels, according to a draft executive order, a move aimed to both revitalize U.S. shipbuilding while countering China’s dominance in global shipping and shipbuilding.
The draft order from President Donald Trump also urges allied nations to adopt similar policies or risk facing retaliatory measures from the U.S.
China’s growing control over the maritime industry has become a rare bipartisan concern in the U.S., with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers acknowledging its impact on national security and economic interests.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Chinese shipbuilders account for more than 50% of the world’s merchant vessel cargo capacity, up from 5% in 1999. The growth came at the expense of shipbuilders in Japan and South Korea, while U.S. shipbuilding, which peaked in the 1970s, has dwindled to a minimal share of global output.
The draft executive order, dated February 27 and reviewed by Reuters, proposes that port fees be applied to any vessel docking at a U.S. port if it is part of a fleet that includes ships built or flagged in China.
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