COSCO decries 'discriminatory' US maritime measures as geopolitical seesaw tilts

China’s state-owned giant COSCO Shipping has strongly opposed the recent US move targeting China’s maritime logistics and shipbuilding sectors, calling it “discriminatory” and “harmful” to global trade stability.

In response to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)’s new decision concerning the Section 301 investigation into China’s dominance in the maritime industry, COSCO has underscored that it not only “distorts fair competition” but also hinders the “normal functioning of the global shipping industry.”

Ultimately, the corporation stressed, the USTR’s move(s) could pose a threat to the “stable and sustainable” progress of maritime transportation, undermining its security and resilience.

Other than COSCO Shipping, a number of companies and entities from China have voiced their own concerns about the path going forward.

As understood, the China Association of National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) has criticized the US for “unjustly” cracking down on the country’s shipbuilding sector under what the organization has described as a “flawed investigation.” What is more, the China Shipowners’ Association (CSA) has joined CANSI’s and COSCO’s worries, stating that the accusations of the Trump administration were