Group 1 - The U.S. government is set to impose a new "maritime service fee" starting October 14, which has raised concerns among automakers and shipping companies about its impact on U.S. consumers [1][3] - The initial proposal for the fee was $150 per Car Equivalent Unit (CEU), but it was later adjusted to $14 per net ton due to industry pressure, although stakeholders remain dissatisfied with the changes [3][4] - Major companies like Ford and Caterpillar have expressed that the proposed fees could lead to increased costs for consumers and hinder U.S. exporters' ability to ship products overseas [4][5] Group 2 - The American automotive industry lobby group, Autos Drive America, indicated that the U.S. shipbuilding industry would require years to provide sufficient American-built vessels, making the fee's intended purpose unachievable [4] - The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) highlighted the limited capacity of U.S. shipyards to produce the necessary vessels, which could further complicate the situation [4][6] - The logistics industry is currently observing the implementation of the new fees, with concerns that even alternative shipping routes would lead to higher costs [5] Group 3 - The South Korean government has requested an exemption from the new fees, arguing that it would impose significant burdens on their automotive manufacturers, such as Hyundai and Kia, and disrupt the U.S.-Korea trade relationship [6][7] - The Korean government emphasized that the fees could introduce additional regulatory layers and double burdens for non-U.S. automotive transport participants [6][7] - They also requested a cap on the frequency of fee assessments to mitigate unpredictable costs for the automotive shipping industry [7]