In response to concerns raised by various industries that the proposed fee on Chinese-linked ships visiting U.S. ports could have severe economic consequences, President Donald Trump's administration is exploring the possibility of making adjustments to the fee structure. These adjustments could include delaying the implementation of the fees and creating new fee arrangements to lessen the financial impact on Chinese vessels visiting U.S. ports. Although specific details of the proposed changes are not yet confirmed, sources familiar with the matter have indicated that modifications are being considered.

While the White House and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have not provided official comments on the potential adjustments, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer mentioned during a Senate Finance Committee hearing that not all the initially proposed fees for Chinese-built ships docking at U.S. ports would necessarily be enforced, and they may not be cumulative. The USTR had recommended high fees of over $3 million for each port call by China-built or linked vessels following an investigation into China's maritime industry and development plans from April 2024.

The administration's rationale for imposing these fees is to counter China's increasing presence in global shipping, both commercially and militarily, while supporting the U.S. maritime sector. However, concerns raised by various industries, such as coal and agriculture, during public hearings emphasized the challenges of navigating the global shipping network dominated by Chinese-linked vessels, potentially affecting the transportation of goods like coal and soybeans to markets.

In light of the feedback received, the administration is considering revising the fees to make them more manageable for U.S. businesses. Potential adjustments being discussed include tailoring fees based on the number of Chinese-built ships in a company's fleet or calculating fees according to the tonnage of unloaded vessels instead of a fixed amount. These revisions aim to alleviate the financial burden on ship owners with smaller vessels engaged in specific trades like transporting grains and other commodities.