USTR Proposes Actions, Requests Comments On China's Maritime, Logistics, And Shipbuilding Sectors

On February 21, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced its proposed actions following the Section 301 investigation of China's targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.

The Section 301 investigation was initiated on April 17, 2024. Following the investigation, USTR determined that China's targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance is unreasonable and burdens U.S. commerce, in part because it displaces foreign firms and restricts business opportunities in the U.S.

Key aspects of USTR's proposed actions following its determination include:

Fees on Services:

• Charging Chinese maritime transport operators a service fee up to $1 million per entrance to a U.S. port or up to $1,000 per net ton of the vessel's capacity.