High stakes for shipping: Xi has his own Trump cards as US prepares to show its hand on port fees

Donald Trump has China’s attention. The unpredictable US president dominated the conversation as shipping leaders gathered at the JW Marriott Hotel in Shanghai for the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum.

And with good reason. We are approaching D-Day for Trump’s plan to crack down on Chinese-owned and built ships with a high-profile US hearing on Tuesday, slated to discuss fees on port calls.