The governments of China and the United States have jointly announced a one-year suspension of port fees on each other’s vessels, along with a pause on related shipping and shipbuilding investigations. The move follows agreements reached during the recent bilateral economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aiming to ease tensions and promote cooperative trade relations.
China’s Ministry of Transport confirmed the suspension of special port charges for U.S.-owned or operated ships, effective immediately. Simultaneously, China has paused investigations into the effects of U.S. Section 301 measures on the shipping and shipbuilding sectors. The Ministry of Commerce also announced a one-year suspension of countermeasures affecting five U.S.-linked subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean.
On the U.S. side, the Office of the Trade Representative declared a one-year suspension of actions under the Section 301 Investigation targeting Chinese maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries. Officials described these reciprocal measures as practical steps toward building trust, stabilizing expectations, and fostering a positive environment for further trade discussions.
Experts highlighted that these suspensions could provide relief to affected industries, improve supply chain stability, and create new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. They stressed that full implementation by both sides is essential for sustained progress and that any future violations may prompt lawful countermeasures.
This coordinated action between China and the U.S. signals a constructive approach to trade disputes, aiming to balance enforcement with collaboration. Authorities from both nations emphasized that this initiative represents a significant milestone in promoting mutual trust and stabilizing global industrial and commercial networks.
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