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

WSC supports the goal of building a strong and vibrant U.S. shipbuilding and maritime sector. A strong U.S. maritime sector will have positive ripple effects across the entire maritime industry. However, WSC strongly opposes USTR’s proposed port fees and requirements to export on U.S. flag and U.S.-built vessels.

These proposals would cause significant harm to U.S. consumers and exporters. The requirements for exportation on U.S.-built and U.S.-flag vessels, moreover, could prove impossible to meet. Further, the proposals are disconnected from the goal of Section 301: obtaining the elimination of actionable foreign trade policies and practices. Instead, they appear designed to raise revenue and to generate the renewal of the U.S. shipbuilding industry. This falls outside of the U.S. Trade Representative’s remedial authority.

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