By Joe Deaux and Laura Curtis
Nov 8, 2025 (Bloomberg) – A coalition of labor unions, led by the United Steelworkers, criticized the Trump administration for halting port fees on Chinese ships. They believe this decision will hinder the revival of the once-thriving domestic shipbuilding industry.
The unions expressed “strong disappointment” in a letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. They warned that the decision would negatively impact efforts to restore the U.S. maritime sector. This letter was also signed by the International Association of Machinists, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. They claim this move will allow China to continue its “predatory behavior.”
These remarks came after President Donald Trump recently highlighted a trade agreement between the world's largest economies, assuring Americans that China would purchase more agricultural products and ease restrictions on rare-earth minerals critical to U.S. national security. However, this backlash indicates that the deal may come at the expense of some blue-collar workers, which could affect Trump’s support in crucial battleground states during next year’s midterm elections.
“By suspending 301 remedies for one year, the U.S. government is creating uncertainty when confidence and long-term planning are most needed,” the unions stated in the letter. “Halting the actions under the Section 301 investigation will let China off the hook.”
On Thursday, the U.S. Trade Representative's office opened a short comment period on the terms of the agreement made between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The unions submitted their letter on Friday, before the 5 p.m. Eastern deadline.
Trump's plan includes pausing tariffs on imports of ship-to-shore cranes and chassis from China and suspending fees on Chinese-built and operated merchant ships entering American ports. In return, China agreed to stop retaliatory measures, according to a fact sheet released by the White House following last week's meeting between Trump and Xi.
This pause will start on Nov. 10 and marks a commitment not to apply tariffs or other penalties related to the U.S. investigation into China’s activities in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries for a year.
The investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 was initiated during the Biden administration at the request of five labor unions representing U.S. steelworkers and shipbuilders, including those who signed Friday’s letter.
Trump has aimed to counter China's increasing influence in the shipbuilding industry through this investigation and by establishing agreements with Japan and South Korea to strengthen alternatives.
The effort to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding has garnered broad support from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, with bipartisan legislation aimed at China’s maritime sector recently discussed in a Senate hearing.