The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is urging the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to abandon plans for a proposed 100% tariff on Chinese-manufactured ship-to-shore (STS) cranes—warning it would hinder port development and increase costs without delivering the intended boost to domestic manufacturing.
Read also: Statement from American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) on Potential New Tariffs
AAPA President and CEO Cary Davis reiterated the industry’s strong opposition during testimony before the USTR this week, joining other U.S. port stakeholders in a unified appeal to protect critical infrastructure investments.
“Imposing a new 100% tariff on Chinese STS cranes won’t suddenly create a domestic crane industry where none exists,” Davis said in formal comments submitted to the Federal Register. “It will only inflate costs for public port authorities that are already grappling with expensive modernization demands.”
While the AAPA supports efforts to reshore key manufacturing sectors, Davis emphasized that there are currently no U.S.-based producers of STS cranes. The proposed tariffs would disproportionately hurt American ports forced to purchase essential equipment from abroad to replace aging machinery or equip new terminals.
In its written submission, the AAPA detailed potential knock-on effects of the tariff increase, warning it could derail infrastructure projects, disrupt supply chains, and lead to higher prices for consumers.
Alongside its opposition to crane tariffs, the AAPA also called on USTR to:
- Revoke proposed fees—potentially up to $1 million—on all foreign vehicle carriers;
- Roll back new charges on Chinese-owned and operated vessels that could impact U.S. businesses;
- Clarify technical language in the policy and clearly define the role of ports in its enforcement.
The AAPA stressed that tariffs of this scale could undercut recent progress made under federal infrastructure programs and contradict broader goals of strengthening U.S. port competitiveness.
“We support reshoring where it’s viable,” Davis said, “but tariffs that raise costs without creating alternatives only hurt American ports and, by extension, the American economy.”
The AAPA says it will continue engaging with USTR and policymakers to ensure that port infrastructure remains affordable, efficient, and globally competitive.