(MENAFN) China announced Friday that, starting Tuesday, it will impose docking fees on American ships entering Chinese ports in response to fees the US introduced for Chinese vessels earlier this year.

The Chinese Transport Ministry stated that the US charges, implemented in April, “seriously violate” international trade principles and the China-US Maritime Shipping Agreement, causing “serious damage” to maritime commerce between the two nations.

US vessels will face a fee of 400 yuan ($56) per net ton, slightly higher than the $50 per net ton that the US charges Chinese ships. The ministry indicated that the fees are expected to increase over time.

The charges will apply to vessels owned or operated by entities in which US stakeholders hold at least 25% ownership. Ships constructed in the United States or flying the American flag will also be subject to the fees.

The US implemented its fees on Chinese-built ships after a review by the US trade representative, which determined that China’s policies and practices were irrational and burdensome to US trade.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, China produces 53.3% of the world’s ships, while the US accounts for just 0.1%.

The move comes shortly after Beijing tightened export restrictions on rare earths and related technology, critical for electronics, automotive, and military industries. Additionally, recent legal actions targeting US tech companies have further heightened tensions ahead of upcoming US-China negotiations.

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