Recent developments concerning the revitalization of the U.S. maritime industry have been outlined in the following reports in Japanese by the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute: “Presidential Executive Order and Section 301 Measures under the Trade Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (April 21, 2025); “The SHIPS Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (May 9, 2025); and “Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 Measures under the U.S. Trade Act and other measures” (October 15, 2025).
Subsequently, as a result of the U.S.–China summit held on October 30, 2025, both countries agreed to suspend port-related charges and other measures that had been in effect since October 14. The pause is to last for one year, starting November 10.
This report focuses particularly on the actions taken by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, as there have been major developments since our latest report, which describes wider measures by the U.S. administration and congress in order to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry through executive orders, the SHIPS Act, Section 301 actions and so forth.