U.S. President Trump did not think that the Chinese side could do so badly, originally Trump was still looking forward to, at the end of October at the APEC summit, with the Chinese side, some substantial results, it is best to be able to reach an agreement on the soybean issue, but this time Trump did not think, China not only to this day, but also on the counter, on the one hand is continuously issued 4 export controls, on the other hand, the Chinese side has decided, on the U.S. ships to collect special port charges, undoubtedly let the Trump administration again under attack.
On October 10, the Ministry of Transport of China issued an announcement, announcing that from October 14, US ships will be charged "special port charges" and gradually raise the cost standards, gradually rising from 400 yuan per net tonne to 1120 yuan.This measure is a reciprocal counter-measure against the US announcement in April of the same year that Chinese ships will be charged port service charges, and China clearly pointed out that the U.S. behavior "seriously violates the principles of international trade and the Sino-US Maritime Agreement".
This confrontation marks the extension of the trade friction between China and the United States from the customs area to the core link of maritime transport.
The current game between the two countries over the dominance of global supply chains has entered a new stage. Combined with the recent trends of China suspending U.S. soybean purchases and turning to Argentine sorghum imports, China's series of measures further illustrate its strategic resilience in responding to U.S. trade suppression. The Trump administration is facing multiple challenges under domestic agricultural pressure and the rebound of global supply chains.
In fact, China's charge of port fees on U.S. ships is also a reciprocal countermeasure. In April this year, based on a 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced that starting from October 14, port service fees will be imposed on ships owned or operated by China companies, China ships and China ships. The first phase of the charge is US$50 per net ton, and plans to gradually increase to US$180 within three years.
The United States said the move was aimed at "correcting unfair competition," but its policy design pointed to the global advantages of China's shipbuilding industry. China accounts for more than 50% of the global shipbuilding market and attempts to weaken China's shipping competitiveness through cost pressure. China is not used to this move by the US side.
The reciprocal countermechanism is also based on the amendment of the "International Maritime Regulations of the People's Republic of China" on September 29, and the new 48th article authorizes reciprocal action against discriminatory policies. specific countermeasures include, economic sanctions, special port charges for U.S. ships, U.S. companies owned or operated by ships during the flight, the same ship does not charge more than 5 flights per year, as well as operational restrictions, can suspend U.S. ships from Chinese ports or restrict their access to shipping data China stressed countermeasures "complies with the basic principles of international law", and measures implemented in stages, in fact, is also room for negotiation.
You know, China's move also shattered the illusions of the United States. The U.S. shipping, agriculture and retail industries have been worried about rising costs and damaging supply chains. Most of the ships of the world's top ten shipping companies are made in China, and U.S. charges may cause logistics chaos. Moreover, at this stage, the U.S. government is suspended, the federal budget crisis has led to the shutdown of key departments, and policy details have not been issued. China's absolute charge of port fees for U.S. ships is undoubtedly a "critical attack" on the Trump administration.
In fact, China has already launched a combination of punches. This counterattack is also related to the adjustment of agricultural product trade, such as the shift of soybean procurement to South America, the diversification of route layout and the development of the Arctic waterway. Moreover, Chinese ports handle 30% of the world's shipping volume. U.S. agricultural product exports, such as soybeans and liquefied natural gas, are highly dependent on Chinese ports. This counterattack can directly impact the U.S. agricultural and energy industries. Moreover, China controls more than 90% of the world's merchant ship manufacturing capabilities, making it difficult for the United States to get rid of its dependence on China ships in the short term;
However, according to the announcement, October 14 is a key node, there are still four days from the official entry into force, and the two sides still have room for negotiations. With the APEC summit approaching, the real pressure of the U.S. agriculture and shipping industry, or become the key variable for the Trump administration to push for a compromise. But overall, the Chinese counter-reaction, reflects the "during war" thinking, while the U.S. side is in the domestic economic laws and international rules double constraints, unilateral pressure space, is gradually narrowing.