NOAA Fisheries’ Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce wanted to make you aware of the initiation of a trade investigation by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) into the acts, policies, and practices of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) targeting the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. Although much of this investigation will likely not be relevant to the seafood sector, we thought there might be some areas of relevance.
USTR initiated this investigation in response to a petition filed by a group of U.S. labor unions alleging unreasonable and discriminatory acts by the PRC and requesting an investigation pursuant to Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2411(b)). The petition contends that PRC actions negatively impact U.S. shipbuilder market share, global vessel prices, and U.S.-produced ships and technologies in an effort to dominate maritime activities, thereby increasing risk to free and open maritime trade, U.S. supply chains, and national security priorities.
USTR is soliciting public comments and requests to appear at an upcoming hearing for this Section 301 investigation. The deadline for submitting comments is June 5, 2024. For more information, please visit https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2024/april/ustr-initiates-section-301-investigation-chinas-targeting-maritime-logistics-and-shipbuilding.