China announced on Tuesday that it has imposed sanctions on five U.S.-based subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, one of South Korea’s largest shipbuilders, in retaliation for U.S. measures targeting China’s shipbuilding industry.
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In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said it has banned all trade and cooperation within China with the five subsidiaries: Hanwha Shipyard LLC, Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Hanwha Ocean USA International LLC, Hanwha Shipping Holding LLC, and USA Holding Corp.
The ministry accused these companies of having “contributed to and supported” a U.S. government investigation into China’s shipbuilding sector, claiming that their actions “undermine China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests.”
The announcement came the same day China began imposing port fees on U.S. vessels docking in Chinese ports.
The new tariffs apply to ships owned, leased, or built by U.S. companies, as well as vessels flying the U.S. flag. Beijing said the move was a reciprocal measure in response to new port fees imposed by the United States on China-made or Chinese-operated ships entering American ports.
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, the fees officially took effect Tuesday. However, Chinese-built ships will be exempt, as will empty vessels entering Chinese shipyards for repairs.
The Chinese Ministry of Transport announced last week that these new port charges are countermeasures to U.S. port fees, which also came into force Tuesday.
Following the announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 100% starting November 1 and impose new export controls on critical software, citing Beijing’s recent tightening of restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals.
CCTV added that the new port fees would be collected at the first port of entry per voyage or for the first five voyages annually, with the billing cycle starting April 17. Non-payment of the fees, the report warned, would halt a vessel’s import and export procedures.
