In recent days, a delegation from the World Shipping Council (WSC), the international association of the world's leading container shipping companies, has China Shipowners' Representatives met in Shanghai Association (CSA) during a meeting focused on mainly on the effects on maritime transport determined by the by the new taxes charged to Chinese ships calling at the U.S. ports that were introduced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as part of the measures to counter Chinese competition in the shipbuilding sector under Section 301 of the Trade Act 1974 which allows the U.S. President to take action against actions and policies of foreign governments that are believed to harm American trade ( of 18 April 2025).

CSA Executive Vice President Liu Shanghai confirmed the strong opposition of the China Shipowners' Association to the new taxes on Chinese ships, which are applied in the USA starting from last October 14 ( of 22 April 2025), and highlighted that these measures violate the principle of non-discrimination of the World Trade Organization and undermine fair competition in the transport sector international maritime. Shanghai stressed that these measures not only harm the legitimate rights and interests of shipping companies, but will also compromise the stability of the global supply chain and will lead to a increase in the cost of trade.

Liu Shanghai has explained that last September the Chinese government changed the maritime transport rules to further improve the of the countermeasures to be taken with respect to taxes introduced by the USTR and decided to impose "port fees special "special features" to U.S. ships ( of 30 September and 10 October 2025). The vice president of the CSA specified that the measures taken by China demonstrate not only a clear legal reciprocity, but also moderation, and have the objective of safeguarding legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese shipbuilding industry and to promote a return of order international maritime approach to a rational and dialogue.

The President and CEO of World Shipping Council, Joe Kramek, expressed deep concern of the association for the potential impact of measures under Section 301 on the global supply chain and stated that the WSC will continue to support a commercial environment and free and stable international maritime.

Meanwhile, the "Reuters" news agency, citing the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, has announced that the ships of U.S. flag, or owned or operated which were built in China and which stop in the Chinese ports would be exempt from paying taxes against US ships introduced by Beijing.