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China Imposes Retaliatory Port Fees on U.S. Cargo Ships: Trade Tensions Escalate

China has announced tit-for-tat port fees targeting American vessels in response to U.S. charges on Chinese ships. The retaliatory measures come as trade tensions escalate between the world’s two largest economies ahead of critical diplomatic talks.

In a significant escalation of trade tensions, China has implemented retaliatory port fees specifically targeting American-owned and operated vessels docking at Chinese ports. The move comes as a direct response to planned U.S. port fees on Chinese ships, creating a mirror-image tariff structure that underscores the deepening economic confrontation between the world’s two largest economies. The timing is particularly significant, with the measures taking effect just weeks before an anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Details of China’s Retaliatory Port Fees

by Bennett LauraOctober 15, 2025

International Business and Trade Policy

China Imposes Retaliatory Port Fees on U.S. Cargo Ships: Trade Tensions Escalate

China has announced retaliatory port fees targeting U.S.-owned cargo ships, responding directly to similar U.S. measures. The escalating trade dispute comes just weeks before a critical meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi.

In a significant escalation of trade tensions, China has imposed retaliatory port fees specifically targeting U.S.-owned and operated vessels docking in Chinese ports. The move comes as a direct response to planned American port fees on Chinese ships, creating a tit-for-tat economic confrontation between the world’s two largest economies. The timing is particularly significant, with the measures taking effect just weeks before an anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.