China announced on Friday that it will begin charging US ships docking at Chinese ports starting Tuesday, in response to Washington’s recent imposition of fees on Chinese vessels entering American ports.
In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Transport said the US measures introduced in April “seriously violate international trade principles” and the China-US Maritime Shipping Agreement, causing “significant harm” to maritime commerce between the two nations.
Under the new policy, US vessels will be charged 400 yuan ($56) per net ton, compared to the $50 per net ton currently imposed by the United States on Chinese ships. The ministry indicated that these charges are expected to increase in the coming years.
The new fees will apply to all vessels owned or operated by companies, organizations, or individuals with at least a 25% US ownership stake, as well as to ships built in the United States or flying the American flag, the ministry added.