09/14/2017

Canadian paper tariff could significantly raise costs of newsprint

From The News Media Alliance

On August 30, the International Trade Commission (ITC) heard testimony on a petition for the implementation of punitive trade duties against Canadian imports of uncoated groundwood paper, a product used primarily for newsprint and book publishing. The request was raised by a single entity with just one U.S. mill, North Pacific Paper Company (Norpac). The petition calls for antidumping and countervailing duties of over 50 percent on Canadian newsprint, which is likely to increase newsprint prices across the newspaper industry. Such cost increases would hit newspapers at the worst possible moment with little to no room to pass along any cost increases. The Alliance has collected letters from members opposing the petition, which will be hand-delivered to the ITC this week. The ITC is expected to make a preliminary determination on whether to move forward with this antidumping investigation on September 22. The Alliance is lobbying Members of Congress to encourage them to oppose the petition.