As the Trump administration reasserts its “America First” trade doctrine, a new wave of Section 301 sanctions targeting China’s shipbuilding and logistics sectors is poised to reshape global supply chains. The stated objective is clear: restore industrial sovereignty, rebalance global maritime competition and revive America’s shipbuilding sector.

But for U.S. exporters, particularly those in agriculture, manufacturing, energy and logistics, the costs of this policy shift could be both immediate and consequential.

In February, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative proposed sweeping sanctions on China’s maritime and shipbuilding industries. These include port entry fees of up to $1.5 million on Chinese-built vessels, a mandate to use U.S.-built ships for a portion of exports and restrictions on China’s state-run logistics platform, LOGINK.

The office argues these actions are vital for national security and the strategic reconfiguration of global supply chains.

But there’s another side to this policy, and it demands serious attention. According to a recent economic analysis by

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