The Trump administration has officially extended the suspension of port fees for vessels built and operated by China for another two months. This move puts the controversial fees on hold while the U.S. continues its trade negotiations with Beijing.
This decision, announced on Tuesday in the Federal Register, keeps the suspension active until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 9, 2027. The fees may come back into effect on January 10 unless further actions are taken.
The extension started on November 9, preventing the fees from being reinstated after a previous one-year suspension that was part of a trade deal between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2025.
According to the notice from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), shipping companies will not have to pay the maritime transport fees introduced during the USTR's Section 301 investigation into China's dominance in the maritime and shipbuilding sectors. The extension also continues to suspend additional duties on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes and other cargo-handling equipment.
These measures were first adopted in April 2025 and were revised in October 2025 as part of a broader strategy to combat China's growing influence in global shipbuilding and maritime transportation.
The original measures were suspended for one year starting on November 10, 2025, following a trade agreement between Trump and Xi. The latest extension allows for an additional two months of negotiations.
USTR stated that the reasons for the initial suspension still apply, and discussions between the U.S. and China are ongoing.
This decision follows a proposal made on October 26 to extend the suspension, which received around 60 unique public comments.
Supporters of the suspension argued that keeping it in place will help avoid increased shipping costs and commercial disruptions while providing more time for negotiations with China.
On the other hand, critics warned that suspending the fees could reduce incentives to invest in American shipbuilding and related sectors, leading to further Chinese dominance.
Some commenters called for the permanent removal of specific maritime service fees to avoid disrupting U.S. exports, while others suggested that tariffs on Chinese cargo-handling equipment should be considered separately from the vessel fees.
Despite the extension, USTR reaffirmed its commitment to rebuilding American shipbuilding capacity.
During this suspension, the administration plans to work on expanding domestic commercial shipbuilding, developing a stronger maritime workforce, and coordinating with allies to enhance U.S. shipbuilding capabilities.
The extension also means the fees could potentially be reinstated early next year.
USTR will continue to monitor China's maritime and shipbuilding practices and will decide whether to extend the suspension again or take further action before the January 10 deadline.
This decision comes as China has also extended its suspension of retaliatory port fees for U.S.-linked vessels until January 10, 2027. Additionally, China has prolonged its investigation into the security of shipping and shipbuilding supply chains.