Several associations representing newspapers and the print industry have formed a new coalition to fight proposed U.S. tariffs on paper imports while retail groups are exploring forming an anti-tariff coalition of their own.

The newly formed Stop Tariffs on Printers & Publishers will fight proposed tariffs on imports of Canadian uncoated groundwood papers, including newsprint and other papers, according to a statement from the coalition. Sixteen businesses and associations are members of the coalition, including News Media Alliance, American Society of News Editors, Association of American Publishers, Association for Print Technologies and Printing Industries of America.

"A single paper supplier, NORPAC, is trying to manipulate the trade laws and convince the government to assess tariffs on Canadian imports of uncoated groundwood paper, which includes newsprint," the coalition said on its website. "Publishers and printers will not be able to absorb these tariffs and will be forced to cut costs that will ultimately result in fewer American jobs." stopnewsprinttariffs.org

At the same time, the National Retail Federation is forming a new coalition to stop President Donald Trump from imposing tariffs on Chinese imports, Politico reported. NRF recently hosted a meeting with representatives from the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Information Technology Industry Council, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Consumer Technology Association and the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America to discuss strategy.

The associations "gearing up for a robust lobbying campaign similar to 2017 efforts to defeat the border adjustment tax and aimed at highlighting the devastating impact any tariffs would have on consumers, businesses, and the U.S. economy," Bethany Aronhalt, senior director of media communications, told Politico. http://politi.co/2GaElSY

Trump is seeking to impose $60 billion in annual tariffs on a range of Chinese products, the Washington Post reported.

Trump had previously authorized tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from China and other countries. The American Soybean Association has requested a meeting with the president to discuss the tariffs, saying that potential retaliation from the Chinese government could hurt U.S. soybean farmers. http://bit.ly/2G7xBp0

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