The World Shipping Council (WSC)—the voice of liner shipping—has expressed ‘serious’ concerns regarding the new port fee regime announced by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), cautioning that the measures could undermine American trade, hurt U.S. producers, and weaken efforts to strengthen the nation’s maritime industry.

Last week, USTR laid out plans to introduce fees on Chinese ships calling American ports. The move is part of a broader strategy to revive the local maritime and shipbuilding industry and curb China’s dominance in the sector.