WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, released the following statement after the International Trade Commission (ITC) unanimously voted to reverse duties on imported uncoated groundwood paper, which were hurting Nebraska newspapers:

“This is great news for the many Nebraska newspapers that keep our residents informed. I brought my concerns about this issue to Secretary Wilbur Ross directly this summer. Working with Nebraskans, we were able to help reverse these misguided duties and protect our newspapers.”     

As a result of the ITC’s decision, U.S. officials will cease collecting an import tax on uncoated groundwood paper from Canada and will start the process of reimbursing importers for the duties they have previously paid.

In January of 2018, Fischer joined several of her colleagues in sending a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer requesting that the administration carefully scrutinize the impact these duties would have on the newspaper industry. The letter stressed the fact that the industry is dependent on the low-cost paper from Canada to provide Nebraskans with affordable newspapers. A copy of the letter is available here.

Most recently, Fischer cosponsored the bipartisan Protecting Rational Incentives in Newsprint Trade Act of 2018 (PRINT Act) to address this threat to newspapers around the country. This legislation would have suspended the import taxes on uncoated groundwood paper while the Department of Commerce examines the health of, and the effects on, the printing and publishing industry.