GREENVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) — America is in a trade war and the weapons are tariffs.
There's been a lot of talk about some of the tariffs set by the Trump administration, particularly those on steel and aluminum from China and Mexico. But one tax that may have slipped under most people's radar could affect their morning routine. It's on paper from Canada that newspapers use.
In March, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced two sets of tariffs on Canadian paper products, resulting in a tax on imported newsprint of up to 32 percent. Those tariffs were created following complaints from Washington state paper producer North Pacific Paper Company that said Canadian manufacturers were unfairly taking advantage of trade incentives. While North Pacific claims it has increased production and hired more American workers since then, there have been consequences for local newspapers.
Siblings Rob and Julie Stafford are the third generation in charge of a small publishing concern based in Greenville, where they produce the six-day per week Greenville Daily News. Covering parts of three counties, the paper covers school boards, city commissions and keeps an eye on all the area goings-on.
The Staffords also publish several other small papers, weeklies, free entertainment publications and the Grand Rapids Business Journal, as well as papers catering to the Hispanic, Jewish and Amish communities. They employ just over 100 people.
They say since the paper tariffs were introduced, their costs have climbed.
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