Neal Statement on the International Trade Commission's Decision on Canadian Newsprint Tariffs

(SPRINGFIELD, MA) Congressman Richard E. Neal, Ranking Member of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, today welcomed in the strongest possible terms the decision by the International Trade Commission to overturn a decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to impose tariffs on Canadian newsprint. In recent weeks, Neal has raised this issue with senior members of the Trump administration on numerous occasions and spoke about the impact tariffs would have on the viability of the American newspaper industry. He called today’s decision “ a great victory for local newspapers and the millions of American’s who faithfully read them each day.”

“Stopping unfair tariffs on Canadian newsprint has been a priority of mine as the Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and that is why am so pleased with today’s announcement from the International Trade Commission (ITC). Today’s unanimous decision clearly demonstrates that our domestic paper industry is not harmed by imported newsprint. It is a great victory for local newspapers and the millions of Americans who faithfully read them each day. In the last month, I have raised the issue of tariffs directly with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and the Chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission David Johnson. On each occasion I have stressed how local newspapers have been hit hard by the transition to online news sources and other dramatic changes in the industry. In my opinion, imposing tariffs on Canadian newsprint would add another unwarranted burden on an industry already in a precarious economic position. With today’s emphatic ruling by the ITC, community newspapers are protected, local jobs are being saved, and the tariff discussion is now closed,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal.

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