Q: On October 14, U.S. Eastern Time, the United States formally implemented restrictive measures—including port fees—against China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors based on the so-called findings of its Section 301 investigation. What is China’s response to this?

A: The U.S. measures represent a textbook case of unilateralism and protectionism. They seriously violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and contravene the principle of equality and mutual benefit enshrined in the China-U.S. Maritime Transport Agreement. By granting unfair competitive advantages to shipping and shipbuilding enterprises of certain countries, these measures constitute discriminatory practices against China’s shipping, shipbuilding, and related industries, causing grave harm to the interests of China’s related sectors. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to these actions. On October 10, China announced it would impose special port fees on vessels involving U.S. elements, including those flying the U.S. flag, built in the United States, or owned, partially owned, or operated by U.S. companies.

The U.S. measures not only affect the stability of global supply chains and substantially increase international trade costs, but will also fuel domestic inflation in the United States, weaken the competitiveness of U.S. ports and harm employment of the U.S., and adversely affect the security and resilience of its own supply chains. Many in the U.S. business community have voiced opposition to these measures, clearly demonstrating that the U.S. approach is self-defeating and counterproductive to the development of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

To further safeguard the interests of China’s relevant industries, Chinese authorities, in accordance with the National Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on International Maritime Transportation, and other applicable provisions, have placed certain enterprises that assisted or supported the U.S. 301 investigation onto the list of countermeasures. China has also launched an investigation into acts by the United States and certain other countries and enterprises that endanger the security and development interests of China’s shipping, shipbuilding, and related sectors. In the course of its investigation, China will conduct enforcement and investigative activities in strict accordance with the principles of openness, fairness, and impartiality to fully safeguard the rights of all stake holders.

China’s position on related issue is clear and consistent: If you want to fight, we will fight to the end; if you want to talk, the door remains open. China urges the United States to rectify its erroneous actions, work with China in the same direction, and resolve their respective concerns through equal dialogue and consultation.