According to a spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce, Washington will postpone its planned port charges on Chinese-linked vessels until late 2026. In response, Beijing will halt its retaliatory “special port fees” on U.S.-affiliated ships for the same period.
The agreement follows talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, earlier this week, their first meeting since the reintroduction of reciprocal port fees on 14 October 2025.
How the port-fee dispute began
The dispute traces back to Washington’s announcement under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act, which introduced new port fees on vessels with a “Chinese nexus”, including ships built, owned, operated, or flagged in China.
Beijing responded immediately, imposing its own “special port service fees” of RMB 400 per net ton on U.S.-linked ships calling at Chinese ports. The Chinese Ministry of Transport had planned to increase these charges gradually in coming years, prompting fears of an escalating cost spiral in maritime trade.
Why the one-year suspension matters
By pausing the measures for 12 months, both countries have effectively frozen one of the most disruptive elements of their recent trade dispute. The underlying legal mechanisms remain in place, meaning the port fees could be reinstated if negotiations stall.
For global shipping and logistics firms, the suspension removes short-term uncertainty and averts additional port costs that could have affected freight rates and vessel deployment strategies on trans-Pacific routes.
“This pause prevents an immediate cost shock and avoids rerouting scenarios that could have hit both economies,” an industry analyst told Seatrade Maritime News.
A broader thaw in U.S.–China trade relations
The decision forms part of a wider effort to ease tensions following months of escalating rhetoric over maritime competition, technology exports, and industrial subsidies.
According to Reuters, both governments described the measure as a “confidence-building step.” The Busan meeting also covered discussions on export controls and rare-earth supply chains, suggesting a coordinated attempt to rebuild dialogue after a volatile year in bilateral trade relations.
Analysts say the suspension will not only benefit carriers operating between the U.S. and China but may also help stabilise global trade routes. European ports and logistics operators could see indirect gains if container flows and transhipments through Asian hubs normalise in the coming months.
The temporary truce offers a breathing space for the maritime sector, which has been navigating high volatility amid shifting trade policies, Red Sea disruptions, and ongoing capacity imbalances.
Next steps: a fragile but welcome reprieve
Officials from both sides have indicated that the one-year suspension will take effect immediately, providing time for further talks aimed at preventing renewed escalation.
For now, the pause underscores a fragile détente — offering the shipping industry short-term relief, but leaving long-term uncertainty intact.
