Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
URGENT! From Missouri Press Association
Following the implementation of across-the-board tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico by the Trump Administration, Missouri’s newspapers are being encouraged to contact members of Congress to make lawmakers aware of the effect these increased costs will have on your business, including increasing the cost of newsprint.
In a letter from the National Newspaper Association to Commerce Committee Chairmen Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), the effects of the tariffs are laid out plainly: “All tariffs bring some measure of hardship to those affected but a 25% increase in the cost of newsprint will be devastating to America’s small newspaper publishers that are already strained by the recent pattern of punitive twice-a-year postage increases and higher printing costs due to a trade action against importers of aluminum printing plates. This action will drive many small publishers serving rural communities out of business and will not serve the purpose of correcting perceived trade imbalances between Canada and the United States.”
Read the full letter here: https://nna.org/pub/doc/NNA-Tariff-Letter.pdf
The tariffs implemented on Feb. 1, did not include a public comment process.
Canadian-sourced newsprint is essential to the newspaper industry’s continued operation in America as there is not enough domestic production capacity to meet current demand. Missouri newspapers’ best avenue for having their voices heard and an exemption being implemented for newsprint is to contact members of the state’s Congressional delegation.
You can find contact information for Missouri Representatives and Senators below or by searching online at https://www.congress.gov/members.
Senators
Josh Hawley — Washington, DC Office: (202) 224-6154.
Additional office contact info here (scroll to bottom of page): https://www.hawley.senate.gov/contact-senator-hawley/
Eric Schmitt — Washington, DC Office: (202) 224-5721.
Additional office contact info here: https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/contact/
Representatives
Mark Alford — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-2876.
Additional office contact info here: https://alford.house.gov/contact/offices.htm
Eric Burlison — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-6536.
Additional office contact info here: https://burlison.house.gov/contact/offices
Wesley Bell — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-2406.
Emanuel Cleaver — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-4535.
Additional office contact info here: https://cleaver.house.gov/contact/offices
Sam Graves — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-7041.
Additional office contact info here: https://graves.house.gov/contact/offices
Robert Onder — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-2956.
Additional office contact info here: https://onder.house.gov/contact/office-locations
Jason Smith — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-4404.
Additional office contact info here: https://jasonsmith.house.gov/district/interactivemap.htm
Ann Wagner — US Capitol Office Phone: (202) 225-1621.
Additional office contact info here: https://wagner.house.gov/contact/offices
