• China criticizes US-imposed port fees as "short-sighted" and discriminatory.
• The fees aim to revitalize the US shipbuilding industry while reducing China's shipping dominance.
• Chinese authorities promise countermeasures against the US tariffs.
• Experts warn the fees could increase shipping costs and impact US consumers negatively.
• Trade tensions escalate as both countries impose retaliatory tariffs on each other.

China's Ministry of Commerce has strongly criticized the newly imposed US port fees targeting vessels owned, operated, or built by Chinese firms. The ministry labelled the fees as "discriminatory" and vowed to retaliate, stating that these measures expose the "protectionist nature" of US policies, which it claims harm global supply chains and violate World Trade Organization rules, according to South China Morning Post.

The new fees, announced as part of President Trump's strategy to boost the US shipbuilding sector, will impose a charge of $50 per net ton for Chinese vessels entering US ports starting October 14. These fees are set to escalate annually, ultimately reaching $140 by April 2028, regardless of where the vessels were built, according to the South China Morning Post.

In reaction to these U.S. policies, the China Shipowners' Association expressed its discontent, calling the new tariffs an "abuse of trade protectionist tools" that undermines the global shipping market's order. They argued that such actions would ultimately negatively affect American businesses and consumers, highlighting that US logistics costs may rise due to these measures, according to South China Morning Post.

Furthermore, Hong Kong industry experts suggested that the impact of these US port fees could be mitigated by utilizing ports in Peru for the Latin American market. They emphasized the need for businesses to diversify supply chains and reduce dependency on US routes, warning that the fees would inflate global shipping costs and disrupt established trading relationships, according to South China Morning Post.

Overall, the situation marks another escalation in the deepening trade war between the United States and China, with significant tariffs already levied on both sides. As of this year, US tariffs on Chinese imports have reached as high as 156%, while China has retaliated with tariffs that have climbed to 125%, illustrating the growing tensions that could further impact global trade dynamics, according to South China Morning Post.