Two days ago, the Trump Administration partially reversed course on its latest round of tariffs imposed on goods imported from China, postponing a 10% tariff on a range of electronics, toys, clothing and children's books until December 15 and exempting Bibles and religious books completely. But all other books will be subject to 10% tariffs that go into effect September 1. An estimated 25% of books published by U.S. publishers are printed in China, including the majority of children's books and Bibles.
The 10% tariffs, announced earlier this month, were to be applied to $300 billion worth of goods, which followed a first round of 25% tariffs on $250 billion worth of goods. The tariffs, part of the Trump Administration's trade war with China, have been roundly criticized by business in general for their potential to drive up the cost of many products to U.S. retailers and consumers.
For the first time seeming to acknowledge that tariffs are in effect a tax on U.S. importers and consumers and not paid by the Chinese government, President Trump was widely quoted as saying tariffs on some goods were delayed "so they won't be relevant in the Christmas shopping season. Just in case they have an impact on people."
In a statement, Association of American Publishers president and CEO Maria A. Pallante said that while the industry was satisfied that some types of books are either exempt from tariffs or will have them postponed, "we remain deeply concerned that a wide range of other books remain on the list, including American fiction and nonfiction books; art books; textbooks; dictionaries and encyclopedias; and technical, scientific and professional books. A tariff on books is a tax on information, and at odds with longstanding U.S. policy of not imposing tariffs on educational, scientific and cultural materials. Just as importantly these books are part of a vital economic engine that makes significant contributions to the U.S. economy, and supports American publishers, authors, illustrators, editors, and designers, as well as distributors and booksellers."