Strategies helps businesses and individuals solve the complexities of dealing with the government at every level. Our team of specialists concentrate exclusively on government affairs, representing clients nationwide who need assistance with public policy, advocacy, and government relations strategies.
This unique program provides innovative and affordable opportunities to startups and early-stage emerging companies with a solid technology or scientific foundation. We help companies that have a quality management team in place and do not have other significant legal representation.
eMerge’s lawyers and technologists work together to deliver strategic end-to-end eDiscovery and data management solutions for litigation, investigations, due diligence, and compliance matters. We help clients discover the information necessary to resolve disputes, respond to investigations, conduct due diligence, and comply with legal requirements.
Emily Huggins Jones, Daniel Gorman, and Ryan Last’s article, “USTR Proposes Port Fees and Cargo Preference Measures to Counter China’s Maritime Dominance,” was quoted in the March 21, 2025 Agriculture.com article, “Proposed U.S. Port Fees on China Ships Already Hitting Ag Exports.”
Troutman Pepper Locke reported that the Trump administration’s proposal includes “a service fee [that] will be imposed on vessel operators from China, requiring payment of up to $1 million per entry into a U.S. port or up to $1,000 per net ton of the vessel’s capacity. In practice, most ships are expected to incur the maximum $1 million fee per port call. If a vessel makes multiple stops at U.S. ports, the operator will be required to pay this fee for each entry.”
In addition, “a service fee of up to $1.5 million per port call will apply to any operator with a vessel constructed in China or a fleet that includes such vessels, regardless of their flag or operator nationality,” Troutman Pepper Locke reported. “Even if a specific ship was not built in China, its operator may still be subject to the fee based on the overall composition of their fleet.”
“The amount assessed is proportional to the percentage of Chinese-built ships within the fleet,” Troutman Pepper Locke reported. “For instance, operators whose fleets consist of at least 50% Chinese-built vessels will face a fee of up to $1 million per vessel for each U.S. port entry. Those with 25–50% Chinese-built vessels will be charged up to $750,000 per entry per vessel, while operators with less than 25% Chinese-built ships will pay up to $500,000 per vessel per entry.”
Speaking Engagements
The American Tobacco + Nicotine Forum
April 20 – 22, 2026
Leesburg, VA
Speaking Engagements
Governmental Hospitals In Bankruptcy: An Immovable Object Meets An Irresistible Force
April 17, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Hilton Atlanta
255 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Speaking Engagements
2026 ACA Conference
April 17, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM CT
Omni Nashville Hotel
250 Rep. John Lewis Way South, Nashville, TN 37203
Speaking Engagements
myLawCLE | College Athletes as Enterprise: NIL Deals, Revenue Sharing, and Post-House NCAA Enforcement
April 16, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 4:05 PM ET
Open for Registration Online
