Trade war at sea: US targets Chinese vessels

The US has introduced a new fee targeting Chinese-built ships docking at American ports — $50 per net ton for Chinese-owned vessels and $18 for others. The move aims to curb China's dominance in shipbuilding, which accounted for 54.6% of global capacity in 2024. Industry leaders warn of major disruptions, with carriers rerouting to avoid US ports. China has responded with its own fee on American-linked ships, escalating tensions in global trade.