Five Unions Ask U.S. Trade Representative to Probe Chinese Shipbuilding Sector

Five labor unions filed a petition with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, requesting an investigation into China’s alleged protectionist policies and practices in the maritime logistics and shipbuilding sectors, her office said Tuesday.

The 137-page petition, citing Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, wants the Biden administration to impose a port fee on Chinese-built ships that dock at United States ports, and use the money to create a shipbuilding revitalization fund to help the domestic industry compete.