August 13, 2019
AAP Statement on Administration’s Tariff Announcement
Following is the statement of Maria A. Pallante, AAP President and CEO, with respect to the administration’s announcement of the list of products imported from China to be subject to an additional 10% tariff:
“Today the administration announced the list of products to be subject to the additional 10% tariffs. We are pleased that the administration did not include Bibles and other religious books on the first list of products to be subject to the tariffs, and delayed tariffs on children’s books until December 15th.
However, 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 US 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 book sellers.”
About AAP
AAP represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time.