US Congress explores new tariffs, sanctions to counter China’s shipbuilding dominance

US lawmakers are exploring new measures, including tariffs, port fees, and sanctions, to address China's dominance in the commercial shipbuilding industry. This examination is occurring as Congress seeks to rebuild America's commercial fleet without raising costs for US importers and consumers. During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday, bipartisan members identified China's shipbuilding power as an economic and national security concern. However, witnesses at the hearing advised that penalties alone would be insufficient to restore US shipbuilding capacity. The discussion included questions about implementing targeted tariffs or port entry fees on Chinese-built commercial vessels and potential sanctions on Chinese state-owned shipbuilders.