BEIJING: The US and China on Monday successively announced a one-year suspension of port fees on each other’s vessels and a parallel halt to related investigations in the shipping and shipbuilding sectors, marking the latest step in implementing the consensus reached at the recent bilateral economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
These new measures follow the adjustments of multiple tariff and non-tariff measures by both sides announced on November 5, and China’s suspension of some export controls to the US as agreed by both sides. Chinese experts described these developments as “pragmatic steps” by both sides, helping to ease trade tensions, build mutual trust, and create more opportunities for further dialogue and progress in bilateral economic and trade relations, while urging the US to uphold its commitments through more proactive and concrete measures to ensure the agreement’s lasting and substantive results.
China’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) on Monday announced a one-year suspension of special port fees for ships owned or operated by US enterprises, organizations and individuals. The suspension of such fees took effect at 1:01 pm on Monday.
MOT also announced a one-year suspension of its probe into how the impact of the US Section 301 investigation affects the security and development interests of China’s shipping and shipbuilding sectors, as well as related industrial and supply chains.
On the same day, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced a one-year suspension of countermeasures against five US-linked subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, a leading shipbuilding enterprise from the Republic of Korea. This suspension took effect on Monday, the ministry said in a statement.
The five US-linked subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean subject to the countermeasures, now suspended for a year, are Hanwha Shipping LLC, Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc, Hanwha Ocean USA International LLC, Hanwha Shipping Holdings LLC and HS USA Holdings Corp, according to a previous announcement by the ministry.
The move came after the US announced on Sunday (US time) the suspension of the action in the Section 301 Investigation of China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance.
The action will be suspended for one year, and as of 12:01 am Eastern Standard Time on November 10, 2025, according to a news release on the official website of the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR).
A spokesperson for MOFCOM said on Monday that the US decision to suspend Section 301 investigation action against China’s shipbuilding and other related sectors marks an important step for the US to work with China and implement the consensus reached during the recent China-US economic and trade consultations in Kuala Lumpur.
Song Guoyou, a deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, said the reciprocal moves signal that both sides are translating trade consensus into tangible actions. “The one-year suspension is a pragmatic step that will help to stabilize expectations and create a more favorable atmosphere for further dialogue,” he told the Global Times on Monday.
Song said the adjustments will bring positive effects to relevant industries and supply chains, adding that “it will boost relevant sectors, ease business uncertainty, and support a rebound in trade.”
“China has always been a proactive stabilizer of global industrial and supply chains, and previous countermeasures were necessary responses to US’ unilateralism that disrupted global trade,” Song said, adding that “the current progress shows China’s willingness to uphold global economic stability and fulfill its responsibility as a major country.”
Consensus implemented
In the previous week, China and the US had already implemented a series of consensus reached during the Kuala Lumpur talks.
China and the US have successively adjusted multiple tariff and non-tariff measures, with the US announcing a reduction in tariffs on the so-called fentanyl-related imports from China and an extension of the suspension of certain reciprocal duties on Chinese products, while China made corresponding adjustments to its countermeasures against the affected US tariffs.
On Friday, Chinese authorities announced a series of adjustments to trade measures, including the suspension of export controls on rare earths, superhard materials and other strategic resources, as well as the reinstatement of soybean import qualifications for three US companies and the lifting of a ban on US log imports.
Just a day ago, China announced that it will temporarily suspend part of the 2024 export-control measures that aimed to strengthen restrictions on certain dual-use materials related to gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials exported to the US.
“Overall, this systemic approach is very beneficial for bilateral cooperation, especially for resolving the issues at an early date,” He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Monday, adding that the US side needs to show more sincerity in solving Chinese concerns.
He Weiwen stressed that US tariffs on Chinese goods remain high. “The US should take proactive steps to lift the remaining tariffs and restrictions as soon as possible, to help restore bilateral trade cooperation and the normal functioning of global trade,” He added.
Song echoed the view, saying, “Whether these one-year suspensions can be extended or lead to broader progress depends on whether the US ensures the agreement’s full implementation.” He added that if Washington resumes suppression or restrictions, China is expected to take lawful countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Broader cooperation
As the consensus reached at the China-US economic and trade talks is gradually implemented, both sides have also made progress on other issues.
Later on Monday, five Chinese authorities, including MOFCOM, added the US, Mexico, and Canada to the directory of precursor chemicals for export to specific countries (regions), requiring that 13 specific chemicals shipped to these destinations obtain permits in accordance with relevant regulations.
He Weiwen noted that this move showed China’s responsible approach to drug control and marks a crucial step in China-US cooperation in the field, laying a solid foundation for future joint efforts. However, he emphasized that the root of the US drug problem lies in its own regulatory shortcomings, not China, and urged Washington to acknowledge China’s rational and sincere measures and act cooperatively. –The Daily Mail-Global Times news exchange item
