Post-Hearing Supplemental Comments of WSC: Concerning Proposed Action Pursuant to the Section 301 Investigation of China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance

WSC fully supports the Administration’s goal of revitalizing the U.S. maritime and shipbuilding industry. Such a revitalization would benefit all members of the maritime community, including WSC members. Our members stand willing to lend their expertise to a revitalization effort.

The comment process and hearing concerning USTR’s proposed remedies have featured extensive discussion of how to bring about this revitalization. However, a Section 301 proceeding is not the right context for this discussion, and the proposed port fees and export carriage restrictions are not the right way to revive American shipbuilding. The point of Section 301 remedies is neither to support U.S. industry nor to raise revenues that could be used to do so. Rather, the key issue is whether the proposed actions will secure elimination of the Chinese acts, policies, and practices found actionable. And there is a comprehensive lack of support in the record for the proposition that the proposed port fees and export carriage restrictions will do so.

By contrast, as WSC and other commenters have explained, there is ample evidence for the proposition that these proposed remedies will not secure elimination of the Chinese acts, policies, and practices found actionable. Indeed, as WSC noted in its comments, the proposed fees could even backfire, enhancing Chinese dominance of the maritime sector.

Read the full Post-Hearing Supplemental Comments here.