News Release
FOR RELEASE - November 10, 2025
Contact: Shawn Balcomb, press@aapa-ports.org

American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org

AAPA Responds to USTR and Lays Out Alternative Policies for Domestic Maritime Revival Without Tax Increases

Washington, D.C. — Today, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) submitted another round of comments to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) office on additional modifications to its proposed Section 301 policy actions.

At the outset of the comments, AAPA acknowledged the recently announced China trade truce and commends the Trump Administration "for the collaborative approach it has taken to reach an agreement on a one-year suspension of the shipping fees and tariffs stemming from this Section 301 investigation."

As of today, all fees and tariffs associated with the Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime and shipbuilding practices have been suspended for one year. These include fees on Chinese-owned, operated, and built vessels; fees on foreign-built vehicle carriers; tariffs on ship-to-shore (STS) cranes; and the proposal to add tariffs to other Chinese cargo handling equipment.

The American port industry is relieved to see these fees and tariffs suspended for one year. This pause will allow the industry to continue delivering the cargo and passengers that power the American economy. We urge the Trump Administration to continue negotiations to ensure that these policies are not reimposed in one year.

In the comments, AAPA remained consistent in advocating for America's port industry by reminding USTR of the negative impacts we could expect from additional tariffs on STS cranes. The proposal to add new levies on other cargo handling equipment could further compound inefficient cargo movement and port development.

AAPA described how the Trump Administration's combination of tariffs and port taxes would mean that "ports have fewer resources available to purchase more expensive equipment. This is far from a prescription for American maritime industry revitalization. Instead, the forecast for future port development is shaping up to be a long, cold winter. With rising costs and shrinking capital resources, ports will likely pause or contract capital improvement plans and wait for better economic conditions."

Alternatively, AAPA proposed three actions the Administration should take to begin the long process of reshoring the domestic manufacturing of CHE instead of harmful tariffs:

1. Release the U.S. Port Cargo Handling Equipment Demand Study currently under review at the Maritime Administration;
2. Pass and sign a big, beautiful Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill with an advanced appropriation of $10.9 billion over five years for the Port Infrastructure Development Program; and
3. Reevaluate and restructure tariffs to bypass allied countries like Japan, South Korea, and the European Union, from which ports could acquire CHE.

The comments also covered concerns the port industry has with a vehicle carrier fee assessed per net ton and targeted coverage fees on Great Lakes Shipping.

USTR shared these additional proposed modifications on October 10, 2025, as a follow-up to previously published Federal Register notices from April 23, 2025, and June 12, 2025. At that time, AAPA released a brief initial statement.

However, you can read AAPA's full comments to USTR here.

About AAPA:

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is the unified voice of port leaders and maritime industry partners across the Western Hemisphere which serve a vital role in job-creation, international competitiveness, and economic prosperity. Connecting small business owners, retailers, and manufacturers to the global marketplace, AAPA member organizations advocate for national policies and infrastructure investments in support of a resilient global supply chain and a positive impact on the way people live, work, travel, and engage in commerce.