BEIJING: China suspended for one year port fees levied on US-linked vessels, its transport ministry said on Monday, after Washington announced a similar pause on punitive actions against China’s shipping and shipbuilding sectors.
The reciprocated pauses were in line with agreements reached by US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a summit in South Korea last month. The suspension kicked in from 13:01 local time (0501 GMT), according to the transport ministry’s statement.
Beijing welcomed a November 9 announcement made by the US Trade Representative’s office to pause for a year from Monday all punitive actions against China resulting from its “Section 301” unfair trade practices investigation.
“China is willing to communicate and consult with the US on relevant issues on the basis of mutual respect and equal consultation,” China’s commerce ministry said in a separate statement released later on Monday.
The USTR also said the United States will negotiate with China on related issues, although details about how the negotiations would proceed or what the objectives would be remained unclear.
