Blog

ASNE proud to be member of newly launched STOPP Coalition

The Stop Tariffs on Printers & Publishers (STOPP) Coalition formally launched Monday, March 19, with an announcement via this press release and the creation of a new website devoted to providing information regarding our fight against proposed government tariffs on newsprint that have been initiated by petitions filed by a single newsprint mill. 

Other members of the STOPP Coalition include Association of Alternative Newsmedia, Association of American Publishers, Association for Print Technologies, Book Manufacturer's Institute, Catalyst Paper, Inland Press Association, Kruger, Local Search Association, National Newspaper Association, News Media Alliance, Printing Industries of America, Quad Graphics, Rayonier Advance Materials, Resolute Forest Products, Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, Trusted Media Brands (formerly Readers Digest Association), Valassis Communications and Worzalla.
 
This wide range of groups has joined together in the wake of a Jan. 9 determination by the Department of Commerce assessing countervailing duties on groundwood ranging from 4.4 to 9.9 percent with an average of 6.53 percent. Commerce has since released a preliminary decision finding that some Canadian producers are selling newsprint for up to 22 percent less than fair value. If upheld, a tariff will be imposed on paper being imported into the country (such foreign paper, mainly from Canada, represents the vast majority of paper used in making newsprint). The next steps in this process will be a final determination by the department (expected in August) and an investigation by the International Trade Commission, with a final determination expected later this year. If a duty is assessed, there will be an increase on the cost of paper used to make newsprint, likely translating into an increase in expenses for newspapers across the country.
 
ASNE members are invited to contact Congress to express their concern over this issue. They can contact ASNE Legal Counsel Kevin M. Goldberg at 703-812-0462 or 
goldberg@fhhlaw.com if they have any questions.

Contributors