The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has sharply increased tariffs on Chinese-made container cranes, deepening the ongoing trade rift between Washington and Beijing. The move, announced late Friday, follows China’s recent export restrictions on rare earth minerals and marks a new escalation in the maritime trade sector.
Effective Nov. 9, ship-to-shore cranes produced in China will face 100% tariffs, while rubber-tired gantry cranes will be hit with a 150% duty. Combined with existing 25% tariffs and prior countervailing and anti-dumping duties, the total levies could now reach as high as 270%, according to estimates from industry analysts.
The new tariffs come shortly after the U.S. imposed a sweeping 100% tariff on all imports from China, set to take effect Nov. 1. The White House said the measures are designed to counter what it describes as unfair trade practices and state-backed industrial policies that have allowed China to dominate global shipbuilding and crane production.
Chinese manufacturer ZPMC currently controls an estimated 70% of the global crane market and nearly 80% of the U.S. market. Cranes capable of servicing the world’s largest container ships can cost between $14 million and $20 million each, meaning the latest duties could significantly raise costs for American ports and logistics operators.
The USTR also announced new trade measures affecting other sectors, including a $46 per net ton fee on foreign-built vehicle carriers calling at U.S. ports. Additionally, the agency carved out exceptions for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ethane carriers under long-term charters and dropped a prior proposal to restrict LNG export licenses tied to foreign-built ships.
The latest tariff escalation comes ahead of an expected meeting between U.S. and Chinese leaders at a global economic summit in South Korea later this month. Industry experts say the move signals Washington’s intent to revive U.S. shipbuilding capacity while tightening trade enforcement in strategic industries.
Public comments on the proposal are due by Nov. 12, with payment deferrals allowed through Dec. 10 as the USTR evaluates feedback.
