Since the Trump administration took office, the global trade has been in a state of panic, and the latest policy proposal from the Office of the United States Trade Representative targeting China - imposing docking fees as high as millions of dollars on Chinese ships calling at U.S. ports - is undoubtedly pushing this chaos to new heights. This move aims to curb China's dominant position in the global shipbuilding industry and revitalize America's long-declining merchant ship manufacturing sector. However, this plan not only fails to achieve its original intention but may also trigger a major upheaval in the global shipping industry, with the bitter consequences likely falling back on the United States itself. The Chinese shipbuilding industry is no longer what it used to be. Data shows that currently, China produces more than 50% of the world's cargo ship tonnage, far exceeding the 5% in 1999, while the U.S. produced only 0.01% of the world's cargo ships last year. Faced with this gap, the Office of the United States Trade Representative attempts to weaken the market competitiveness of China's shipbuilding industry through high docking fees. However, this "punishment instead of development" strategy is like a double-edged sword, directly striking at the economic lifeline of the United States itself. First and foremost, it will hit the U.S. foreign trade supply chain. For example, 16,000 tons of steel pipes originally planned to be transported to a large energy project in Louisiana are now stranded in warehouses due to the uncertainty of the new regulations. Since 80% of transatlantic routes are operated by Chinese-made ships, once the additional fee takes effect, freight costs could increase by $1 million to $3 million, doubling or even tripling transportation costs. Shipping companies will not only pass on these costs but may also bypass smaller ports such as Oakland and Charleston, leading to skyrocketing prices for American goods in international markets and a sharp decline in competitiveness. Moreover, the impact of this policy on the domestic economy of the United States far exceeds expectations. High docking fees will drive up prices, threaten jobs, and deal a fatal blow to U.S. farmers who rely on exports. Soybean growers and coal exporters have already felt the chill - the surge in transportation costs will make American goods lose their price advantage in the global market, shifting the focus of trade towards Canada and Mexico, while major U.S. ports face the dilemma of being overwhelmed. The U.S. Trade Representative claims that this move aims to "make shipping great again," and plans to stimulate domestic shipbuilding through tax incentives and special funds. However, the reality is cruel: U.S. shipyards have severe capacity shortages. As early as 2012, U.S. shipyards were unable to deliver commercial ships for seven years due to saturated military orders, while Chinese shipyards delivered quickly and competitively priced. Nowadays, with a shortage of seafarers and aging shipyards, meeting the requirement of "American ships transporting American goods" in the proposal might take decades. In other words, 83% of container ships and a large number of oil tankers will be penalized, but the U.S. is simply incapable of filling this gap. Deeper contradictions lie in the fact that this policy not only fails to weaken China but may accelerate the fragmentation of the global shipping market. Shipbrokers reveal that charterers have begun to avoid Chinese oil tankers, while South Korean and Japanese shipyards have orders lined up until 2028, but this has nothing to do with "America's greatness." If the U.S. persists in this course, it will not only fail to destroy China's shipbuilding industry but may push allies into deeper cooperation dilemmas, ultimately isolating the U.S. further in the global shipping landscape. This shipbuilding war initiated by the U.S., though seemingly ambitious, is self-destructive. The additional fees may bring in $40 billion to $52 billion in revenue, but compared to inflation, job losses, and supply chain disruptions, this is merely a drop in the bucket. A major upheaval in the global shipping industry is brewing, and the heaviest price will likely be borne by the United States itself. For China, it must prepare for the impending massive shock, as the strategic intentions of the Trump administration have been exposed since it began competing for control over global port operations. The U.S. will not stop until it hits rock bottom. Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493103986418172456/ Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's views. Feel free to express your stance by clicking the "like/dislike" buttons below.