The US and China have officially confirmed the suspension of port fees, first announced after the 30 October 2025 meeting between President Trump and President Xi in Busan, where both leaders agreed to ease trade tensions.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the measure, effective 10 November 2025, pauses for one year the “responsive actions” — including port fees on Chinese-linked vessels — imposed under the Section 301 investigation into China’s shipbuilding and logistics industries.
In a coordinated move, the Chinese Ministry of Transport announced a one-year suspension of its “special port fees” on vessels owned, operated or registered by US entities.
Both sides described the step as a reciprocal, temporary measure to stabilise maritime trade relations amid wider talks on industrial policy and market access.
The official confirmation offers short-term certainty for shipping lines and port operators navigating months of policy uncertainty.
