US-owned and registered vessels exempt from USTR port fees, sources said

April 17 - Under a plan from the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, port fees on China-linked vessels will not apply to U.S.-owned and registered vessels, two maritime sources told Reuters.

The agency proposed the fees to remedy China's growing domination on the high seas. Proceeds from the fees are earmarked for President Donald Trump's plan to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding.