WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey joined about a dozen lawmakers this week who stood up for print newspapers struggling with recently imposed tariffs on Canadian newsprint.
In testimony Tuesday before the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Scranton Democrat called a free press and newspapers “a bedrock of our democracy.”
Newspapers “must have access to the necessary resources that ensure our informed public,” Casey said.
Newsprint is a necessary resource for print newspapers, according to the Tribune-Review. The Trump administration imposed a tariff on Canadian newsprint in response to a complaint from a Washington state paper producer that argued Canadian competitors take advantage of government subsidies to sell their product at unfairly low prices.
Newsprint is generally the second-largest expense for local papers. The tariffs have increased prices by 25 to 30 percent.
“While we value our larger publications with wide circulation, it is our local newspapers, whose reporters execute the duties of the fourth estate for their communities, that have struggled the most as Americans across the country make difficult choices in the face of stagnant wages. I have heard from many newspapers in Pennsylvania expressing concern about the impacts of Commerce’s preliminary findings. I know you will undertake a judicious review of the concerns raised by my constituents and take the appropriate action,” Casey said.
Pennsylvania has more daily and weekly newspapers than any other state in the country, Casey said, citing Penn State. The state has 76 dailies and more than 150 non-daily publications, he said.
