WASHINGTON, United States — A coalition of maritime, agricultural, manufacturing, retail, and logistics organizations has urged the U.S. government to permanently suspend port fees targeting Chinese-built and China-linked vessels. In a letter dated October 30, 2026, addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the groups warned that reinstating the charges could increase transportation costs, affect American exporters, and disrupt international supply chains.

The coalition includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, International Chamber of Shipping, World Shipping Council, National Association of Manufacturers, and other major trade organizations. According to the groups, the proposed charges under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act could affect shipping companies beyond China because Chinese-built vessels account for a significant portion of global shipping capacity. They warned that additional fees could lead to higher freight costs for importers and reduced competitiveness for American exporters.

The appeal follows a proposal by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to extend the existing suspension for another two months, through January 9, 2027. The fees were introduced in October 2025 before being suspended in November 2025 under a U.S.-China trade agreement. The current suspension is scheduled to expire on November 9, 2026, unless the proposed extension is formally adopted. The coalition supports the temporary extension but is requesting a permanent suspension.

The organizations also argued that port fees alone would not resolve the challenges facing the U.S. shipbuilding industry, including limited domestic construction capacity, workforce shortages, and insufficient competitive alternatives. Instead, they called for sustained investment and a long-term strategy to strengthen American shipbuilding. However, some U.S. lawmakers and maritime labor organizations have supported reinstating the fees, arguing that the measures are necessary to address China\'s shipbuilding practices and encourage investment in domestic shipyards.