Yantian Container Terminal in Shenzhen, China Shenzhen Government
Shipping

China extends pause on major tariffs and port fees targeting US ships

Reuters

China on Monday extended the suspension of its additional tariff of 24 per cent on US imports and the suspension of special port fees on US-linked ships for two months.

The 24 per cent additional tariff on US imports will continue to be suspended for two months from 13:01 (05:01 GMT) on Tuesday, but a tariff of 10 per cent will remain, its state council, or cabinet, said.

The suspension of special port fees on US-linked vessels will be extended until January 10, 2027, China's transport ministry said in a statement.

China is also continuing to suspend a probe into shipping and shipbuilding supply chain security, the ministry said.

After September's Washington summit of their leaders, both sides proposed a $60-billion package of reciprocal tariff cuts, including roughly $17 billion worth of US farm goods that China imported in 2024, though the plan has yet to be finalised.

China is extending the tariff suspensions to implement the "outcomes and consensus reached at the Washington meeting between the heads of state of China and the United States", the council's tariffs panel said in a statement.

China has, "noted that the US side has repeatedly stated that it intends to use Section 301 tariffs to replace the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) that have been held invalid by judicial rulings" it said.

China will, "closely follow subsequent measures taken by the US side and will, as appropriate, adjust relevant tariff countermeasures in light of developments," it added.

Continued suspension of some additional tariffs on US goods will help ensure a stable and predictable policy environment for ties and promote development of China–US economic and trade relations, it said.

(Reporting by Xiuhao Chen, Qiaoyi Li and Ryan Woo; writing by Farah Master; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Stephen Coates)