The Trump administration is scheduled to announce the implementation of a 25% tariff on products from Canada and Mexico, and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association is requesting your help.
Varied justifications for the action have been given ranging from inadequate border security allowing the illegal smuggling of Fentanyl to an asserted trade imbalance.
The authority to impose blanket tariffs is questionable and this is a fluid situation, however, for whatever period of time they are in force, they will have the effect of increasing the cost for newsprint sourced from Canadian mills and will likely result in higher prices for newsprint produced domestically.
This tariff action differs from the one undertaken by the Department of Commerce and International Trade Administration in 2018 in response to a complaint over Canadian newsprint prices.
In this case, the tariffs implemented February 1 are unrelated to any specific dispute over newsprint and are an across-the-board action against all Canadian and Mexican imports.
In addition, this type of tariff does not afford the opportunity for affected parties to challenge the duties in an adjudicated notice and comment process.
Litigation and public pressure are the only options available to address the tariffs unless the United States and Canadian governments can negotiate a resolution, according to the National Newspaper Association.
Given the range of products impacted, broad-based opposition to these tariffs can be expected and the administration has a great deal of flexibility to modify the tariff structure and the power to act quickly.
This letter has been sent by the NNA to Commerce Committee Chairmen Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) highlighting the impact of tariffs on Canadian newsprint and the likelihood that they will lead to permanent increases in prices and asking them to engage the administration to request an exemption for newsprint.
What you can do as WNA members
WNA members can make members of Congress aware of the challenge that increased costs for newsprint will have on newspaper publishers by contacting your Wisconsin members of Congress here or by phone to express your opposition:
US Senator Tammy Baldwin — Washington DC Office Phone: (202) 224-5653; Madison Office Phone: (202) 224-5323.
US Senator Ron Johnson — Washington DC Office Phone: (202) 224-5323; Milwaukee Office Phone: (414) 276-7282.
US District 1 Rep. Bryan Steil — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-3031; Beloit District Office Phone: (608) 752-4050; Janesville Office Phone: (608) 752-4050.
US District 2 Rep. Mark Pocan — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-2906; Madison District Office Phone: (608) 258-9800.
US District 3 Rep. Derrick Van Orden — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-5506; LaCrosse District Office Phone: (608) 782-2558; Eau Claire Office District Phone: (715) 831-9214.
US District 4 Rep. Gwen Moore — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-4572; Milwaukee District Office Phone: (414) 297-1140.
US District 5 Rep. Scott Fitzgerald — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-5101; Oconomowoc District Office Phone: (262) 784-1111.
US District 6 Rep. Glenn Grothman — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-2476; Fond du Lac District Office Phone: (920) 907-0624.
US District 7 Rep. Tom Tiffany — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-3365; Wausau District Office Phone: (715) 298-9344.
US District 8 Rep. Tony Wied — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-5665; DePere District Office Phone: (920) 301-4500.
What NNA is doing
The NNA is already enacting opposition efforts to the tariffs and urges you to:
• Encourage other NNA members to contact their representative and senators to ask them to implore Chairman Guthrie and Cruz to act on the request to seek the newsprint exemption from the administration.
• Coordinate with other business groups to participate in any broad-based opposition efforts to the new tariffs.
• Evaluate options to support litigation against the tariffs by business groups.
This issue brief by the NNA contains more information about the tariffs and talking points for use in contacting your representatives and senators.
The WNA encourages you to make your voice heard on the tariff issue and will report to WNA members on any new developments as they occur.
