The U.S. Trade Representative has scaled back steep port entry fees originally proposed for Chinese-built ships, opting instead for per-ton cargo levies that will largely exempt most vessels carrying agricultural exports like wheat, corn, and soybeans. This shift, welcomed by U.S. farm groups, avoids the earlier plan of imposing $1 million to $1.5 million per ship stop, which could have significantly raised export costs. Industry leaders stress that while the move eases pressure on farm exports, the U.S. still faces challenges rebuilding its maritime infrastructure without harming trade.