Books To Enter the China Trade War?

For publishers, the reprieve is only partial, as President Trump’s threat to levy tariffs on adult books printed in China remains.

Looming tariffs on bibles and children’s books printed in China – along with many other products made in China, including toys and electronics – were postponed this week in yet another skirmish of President Trump’s trade war with China.

For publishers, though, this reprieve from the Trump Administration is only a partial one, as the prospect for tariffs on trade, education, and professional book titles remains.

“Without action, adult trade books would be subject to the tariffs in the coming weeks, and that could certainly dent publisher’s bottom lines. Books are already priced as luxury items, so it’s hard to imagine passing a 10% tax onto book buyers without hurting sales,” reports Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer.

“I imagine most publishers would end up eating some or all of that 10%,” he told CCC’s Chris Kenneally.

Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.