Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Customs announced high port fees for Chinese vessels starting October 14, which is perceived as a targeted attack on China's shipping industry [1][3]. Group 1: Impact on Shipping Industry - The U.S. has implemented a "301 clause announcement," categorizing ships into five levels, with Chinese-built and operated ships facing a fee of $2.5 million per port call, increasing annually [3][6]. - Nearly half of the 57,000 commercial ships that transport goods to the U.S. annually are related to China, potentially extracting $70 to $100 billion from the Chinese shipping sector each year [6][9]. - The increased costs for Chinese shipowners will lead to a collapse in competitive advantage, affecting shipping routes and overall industry viability [9][11]. Group 2: Broader Economic Consequences - The repercussions extend to shipbuilding, as foreign shipowners may shift new orders to South Korea and Japan to avoid U.S. fees, jeopardizing China's significant share in global shipbuilding [9][20]. - Financial and insurance sectors will also be impacted, with increased risks leading to higher insurance premiums and potential changes in ship registration to evade U.S. fees [9][11]. - Exporters will face higher shipping costs and longer delivery times, further diminishing their competitiveness in the global market [11][20]. Group 3: Proposed Countermeasures - Experts suggest establishing a "301 Fairness Fund" to counteract U.S. discriminatory fees, which would impose special docking fees on U.S.-built and operated ships at Chinese ports [12][23]. - The proposed measures aim to create a more equitable market environment, encouraging global shipping markets to align with China against U.S. fee structures [12][14]. - China's shipbuilding capacity is robust, with over 1,700 ships built annually, representing 23% of global production, contrasting sharply with the U.S. shipbuilding industry [16][18].