AAPA concerned over U.S. trade tariffs

(Posted on 28/09/18)

With the U.S. government’s announcement last week on the imposition of an additional $200 billion in protective trade tariffs against Chinese imports, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) – the unified and recognized voice of America’s seaports – continues to urge the Administration and federal policymakers to consider the negative impacts that tariffs have on port and other trade-related American jobs nationwide, including the effects of retaliatory responses. The new tariffs take effect on September 24, 2018 with the imposition of a 10 percent tariff which will increase to 25 percent by the end of the year.

“The impact of expanding Section 301 tariffs on cargo and equipment moving through American ports is already proving to be significant,” said AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle, who testified on Aug. 24 on behalf of the ports association during the U.S. Trade Representative’s Section 301 tariff hearings. “Including the additional $200 billion just imposed, the total Section 301 tariffs on Chinese commodities and China’s response in retaliation responses covers about 10 percent of all trade that moves through America’s ports by value, which is concerning. AAPA was pleased, however, to see that port cranes (tariff line 8426.19) were removed from the list, as we recommended at the recent hearings. Tariffs on these cranes, which cost upwards of $14 million each, would have harmed ports’ ability to make the investments necessary to handle the larger vessels now being used in ocean trade and hurt U.S. international competitiveness.”

“Because trade supports everyone, AAPA is encouraging federal policymakers to work swiftly to restore market certainties and forge paths to expand U.S. exports, rather than create new import restrictions,” he added.

At $4.6 trillion a year, the value of cargo activities at America’s seaports are significant drivers of the U.S. economy, supporting more than 23 million American jobs and generating over $320 billion in annual federal, state and local taxes. All but 1 percent of the nation’s overseas trade moves through its maritime facilities.

During the USTR’s Section 301 hearings in late August, AAPA urged that the multi-million-dollar container cranes that U.S. ports have on order and are considering purchasing from Chinese factories, for which there are no American-made alternatives, be exempt from tariffs.  USTR did remove tariff line 8426.19 from the final list so these large cranes are not subject to the newly announced tariffs.

Founded in 1912 and recognized as the unified voice of seaports in the Americas, AAPA today represents 140 of the leading seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and more than 250 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in seaports.

Latest News

NGFA applauds Senate confirmation of Lindberg as USDA trade undersecretary

 The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has commended the U.S. Senate for confirming Luke... Read more

Cargill to acquire Mig-Plus, expanding animal nutrition business in Brazil

Cargill, one of the world’s leading food providers, continues to advance its growth strategy in... Read more

Resilient financial results as Rio Tinto grows and diversifies

Rio Tinto has announced a 6% production year-on-year uplift, thereby delivering on strategy through... Read more

K-SURE and Trafigura $200m financing agreement to support Korean shipping

The Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE) and Trafigura, a global leader in the commodities industry... Read more

BHP record copper and iron ore production drives strong 2025 performance

BHP have released their Operational Review for the year ended 30 June 2025.BHP Chief Executive Officer... Read more

Dynamic Mining shipping arm and GeoServe’s one-year milestone

A strategic collaboration between Icon Gulf Trading DMCC (part of the Dynamic Group) and GeoServe Energy... Read more

SSAB and Metal Solutions start partnership in fossil-free steel

SSAB and Metal Solutions have entered a long-term partnership for the supply of decarbonized steel with... Read more

NGFA thanks lawmakers for including industry priorities in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the USA has applauded Congress for including a slate... Read more

Fertilizers Europe: Commission announcement on CBAM falls short

Fertilizers Europe’s have released their reaction to the European Commission announcement on the... Read more

Bunge completes sale of its North America corn milling business

Bunge Global SA has confirmed that it has completed the previously announced sale of its North America... Read more