Caribbean Group Says US Exemptions On Chinese Ships ‘Acceptable’

By Denis Chabrol

Apr 19, 2025 (Bloomberg) –The Caribbean Private Sector Organization said it welcomed a decision to exempt certain Chinese ships traveling to its ports from millions of dollars in fees proposed by the Trump administration.

The group said Saturday that its lobbying efforts paid off with an “acceptable” decision April 17 by the US Trade Representative to grant exemptions on three categories of Chinese-made cargo ships that load and unload goods at ports in the Caribbean. 

Related Article: USTR Targets China’s Maritime Dominance With New Fee Structure and U.S.-Build Incentives

The regional private sector organization, which is affiliated with the 15-country intergovernmental Caribbean Community (CARICOM), had argued the fees would result in “crippling consequences,” such as inflation and supply-chain disruptions.

“This determination, in effect, exempts Caribbean shipping from the high port fees on China-built vessels, originally proposed by the United States Trade Representative,” the organization said in a statement. 

The Trump administration plans to impose fines of at least $1 million on Chinese-made vessels from around the world that use US ports as part of a broader effort to revive the US shipbuilding industry. 

© 2025 Bloomberg L.P.

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