Ottawa – Arab Canada News

The major stakeholders in the Canadian book and publishing industry have called on the federal government to exempt the sector from any retaliatory measures in the framework of the escalating trade war with the United States, warning that imposing tariffs on books and printed materials would represent a "severe blow" to Canadian culture and economy.

A joint statement issued by the Canadian Publishers Association, the Booksellers Association, and several independent publishers indicated that the industry is already suffering from increasing financial pressures, and that including it in retaliatory measures "could accelerate the closure of independent publishers, raise prices for readers, and reduce the diversity of local content."

Books are not just a commercial commodity

Laura Campbell, the executive director of the Canadian Publishers Association, said:

“Books are not merely a barter commodity; they are a means of transmitting culture and national identity. Any tariff targeting them will impact education, creativity, and intellectual freedom.”

She added that more than 60% of the books circulating in the Canadian market come from or pass through the United States, making the sector highly vulnerable to any tariffs or import restrictions.

Direct impact on readers and authors

The signatory organizations pointed out that imposing tariffs on books would lead to:

• Increased book prices for consumers

• Contraction of the distribution and publishing market

• Decreased incomes for local authors and publishers

Call to the federal government

The industry has urged the government to take a clear stance by not including the publishing sector in the list of targeted goods in any upcoming trade measures, and to enhance the protection of cultural content from the effects of economic conflicts.

These demands come amidst rising tensions between Ottawa and Washington following the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian energy and drug imports.