China's Ministry of Commerce has expressed strong opposition to the U.S. proposal to levy port fees on Chinese ships entering U.S. ports. According to He Yadong, spokesperson for the ministry, such a move could disrupt global supply chains and potentially harm the U.S. economy and employment rates.
He Yadong highlighted that if the United States proceeds with imposing port fees, it would increase global shipping costs and destabilize the already fragile global supply chains. This, in turn, could lead to higher inflation within the U.S., weaken the competitiveness of American goods on the global stage, and negatively impact both consumers and businesses in the U.S.
The U.S. Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced on February 21 that it was seeking public comments on its proposed actions under the Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. These proposed actions include the imposition of port fees.
He Yadong criticized the U.S. Section 301 investigation as an example of unilateralism and protectionism that violates World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. He urged the United States to respect multilateral rules and the facts surrounding these issues, advising against further actions that could exacerbate tensions.
China has stated it will closely monitor U.S. actions and take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Reference(s):
China: U.S. proposal to levy port fees on Chinese ships could backfire
cgtn.com
