Hearings held Monday and continuing Wednesday by the U.S. Trade Representative have sparked major pushback from farmers, exporters, and shipping companies over a plan to impose steep fees on China-built ships calling at U.S. ports. The proposal, backed by President Donald Trump, aims to bring shipbuilding jobs back to the U.S. But critics say it could raise prices, shrink export markets, and hurt the very industries it’s supposed to help.

The plan would charge Chinese-owned ships up to $1 million per port entry and Chinese-built vessels $1.5 million per entry. Some lawmakers and unions support the idea, but many in the shipping industry warn it could lead to supply chain chaos and drive business away from American ports.

“National interest will not be served if the effort to boost American shipbuilding unintentionally destroys American-owned carriers,” said Edward Gonzalez, CEO of Seaboard Marine, which operates 16 China-built vessels.

Farmers are worried, too. “I do ask that any efforts that you seek to increase domestic shipbuilding do not come at the expense of market access to farmers,” said Mike Koehne, an Indiana soybean grower. Nearly half of all U.S. soybeans are exported, and China is a major buyer.

Others warned the fee could trigger job losses and higher costs. “Hard-working American families cannot afford further price increases and product shortages,” said Nate Herman of the American Apparel and Footwear Association. “And American manufacturers and farmers cannot afford to lose more export markets.”

Shippers say the fees could cause carriers to skip smaller ports, overwhelm the larger ones, and route goods through Canada or Mexico instead, creating more delays and costs along the way.

“Our major concern about the proposal are the unintended consequences that this fee could have on agricultural exporters and other American businesses,” added Bryan Brandes, Maritime Director at the Port of Oakland.

The USTR will review public comments after Wednesday’s hearing and decide whether to proceed with the plan or revise it.