The Trump administration has proposed new punitive tariffs on international cargo transport, specifically targeting Chinese shipping companies. The policy includes a one-million-dollar tariff for Chinese cargo ships, as well as those with flags from third countries but manufactured in China, when docking at U.S. ports.
Cargo ships often make multiple stops when delivering goods to the U.S., meaning they would face tariffs at every port. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office released the proposal, linked to an investigation into claims by U.S. labor unions that China has unfairly influenced the global shipping industry. The investigation concluded that the Chinese government subsidizes its shipbuilding industry with the aim of dominating the global market.
