By Darius Spillman
American jobs are continuously a controversial topic of discussion. More jobs and products are being outsourced, instead of Made in the USA. Now, due to new tariffs on Canadian newsprint put in place by the Trump administration in January and March, the overall cost has spiked about 30 percent. Newspapers based in the Midwest or Northeast can source their paper from Canada, as they’re close to the border. However, newspapers that don’t have that luxury have to depend on imports. Declining ad revenue and readership has led to less demand for newsprint, which in turn has caused several American paper mills to shutdown operation.
Top publishing companies, such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the New York Times, or the Los Angeles Times aren’t affected nearly as much by the tariffs. However, smaller publishing companies are getting “the short end of the stick.” Smaller companies are essentially forced to make three unfair, but necessary decisions; reduce page counts, cut print editions, or cut staff. According to The Tampa Bay Times, Florida’s largest newspaper, they will be cutting about 50 jobs this week.
Since 2012, 10 American paper mills have closed – costing more than 2,000 jobs. As of today, there are only five newsprint mills left in the country, three of which are owned by Resolute Forest Products, a Canadian company that employs 2,500 American workers. Seth Kursman, a spokesman for Resolute Forest Products issued a statement regarding new American paper mills.
Kursman said, “That’s a preposterous suggestion given the forecast for continued demand decline.”
The tariffs aren’t permanent, and the International Trade Commission is expected to make a final decision in September.
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