The American Association of Port Authorities is criticizing certain aspects of the Trump administration’s plans to curb China’s maritime dominance. In particular, the AAPA took aim at the US Trade Representative’s proposal to slap a 100% tariff on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes, and a new 150% tax on Chinese cargo-handling equipment. The cranes levies will come into effect on Nov. 9 and could be followed by the cargo-handling equipment duties.

In its April determination, the USTR said that China controls production of more than 70% of ship-to-shore cranes and 86% of intermodal chassis, or specialized trailers that carry shipping containers. It’s part of a broader set of concerns that Washington says shows Beijing’s unfair support of its homegrown maritime sector. America’s unease also targeted China’s dominance in shipbuilding and maritime trade, and the Trump administration moved to levy hefty fees on China-owned, -operated or -built ships that came into effect on Tuesday.

Not only will the crane levies make it more costly to purchase from countries friendly to the US, “there is still not a single American producer of STS cranes,” the association said this week.

According to the AAPA, the levies should be removed, and instead Washington should offer tax credits and funding for port infrastructure.

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