Proposed port fees on Chinese-built ships could impact trade in Port Panama City
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – In late February, the United States Trade Representative announced a proposal that recommends charging up to $1.5 million on all Chinese-built ships and Chinese operators every time they enter a U.S. port.
It is part of a Section 301 investigation into China's alleged unfair domination of shipbuilding.Port Panama City officials are concerned how the proposed fee will affect business.
It could make it more difficult for the port to import and export goods, causing cargo diversions to Canadian and Mexican ports.
'Every port that handles cargo in and out of the us is very important to the U.S., and it's important that these ports remain healthy. Trade policies need to support the growth of ports and the companies that use them and not hinder it,' Port Panama City Executive Director Alex King said.
The policy aims to boost U.S. Shipbuilding and reduce reliance on Chinese-made ships. But King says there are other competitive shipbuilders besides China.
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'It's only against China you know, you have South Korea is a big ship builder, Turkish ship building. There's some built in Europe. Those aren't mentioned. It's just China,' King said.
King also points out some U.S.-owned shipping companies use Chinese-built vessels.Chinese ships carry global goods to every nation in the world, but the fee could force those ships to bypass many U.S. ports.
'It could be very detrimental to shipping in the smaller regional port industry as a whole. It could also change the flows of trade where you push to avoid the U.S. ports and those fees,' King said.
King believes an extra tax on trade will result in higher prices on goods and services, which will be passed on to consumers.
'It could increase the price of the products. You know, your grocery bill could increase yet again,' King added.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative is holding a public hearing in D.C. tomorrow to get comments on the proposed port fee.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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