China announced on Monday that it will suspend “special port fees” on US vessels for one year. The decision aligns with Washington’s pause on levies targeting Chinese ships, marking a step toward easing trade tensions between the two countries.
The suspension applies to ships operated by or built in the United States that visit Chinese ports. China’s transport ministry said the measure took effect at 13:01 local time (05:01 GMT) on Monday.
This move follows negotiations after a meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in South Korea. Both countries agreed to roll back some trade measures that had previously reached high levels, disrupting global supply chains and trade flows.
In addition to port fee suspensions, China lifted sanctions on US subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, a major South Korean shipbuilder. The suspension is effective from November 10 for one year. Earlier sanctions had been imposed because these subsidiaries were involved in a US “Section 301” investigation regarding China’s shipbuilding dominance.
China’s shipbuilding industry now leads global output, producing nearly half of all new ships, while the US industry accounts for just 0.1%. Analysts say these suspensions reflect China’s willingness to cooperate on trade matters and stabilize international shipping.
The port fee suspension is part of a broader easing of trade restrictions. China extended the suspension of additional tariffs on US goods, including soybeans and agricultural products, and lifted export restrictions on critical metals like gallium, germanium, and antimony. Rare earth technology export restrictions were also suspended for one year.
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Experts believe these steps by China indicate a gradual thaw in economic relations, aiming to support trade stability and prevent further disruption in global supply chains. The one-year suspensions give both nations time to assess and potentially expand trade agreements.
