The implications for the U.S. book industry are catastrophic, as re-introducing tariffs would raise the price of manufacturing books. The Book Industry Study Group (BISG), which counts among its members all of the country’s largest book publishers, is concerned that these tariffs will reduce profit margins and increase retail prices for consumers. The majority of books sold in the United States are printed domestically, relying heavily on imported raw materials and machine parts essential for production.
As of 2023, the United States has imported more than $409 million dollars in paper mass. Most of this was earmarked strictly for book printing. Interestingly, Canada supplied about 73% of that paper we imported. Well, new tariffs on these materials can set off a similar chain reaction. This would raise the effective cost of producing books by a notable percentage.
Brian O’Leary, the executive director of BISG, commented on the potential consequences of these tariffs, stating, “Taken as a whole, these additional duties may increase costs in the short term, as the price of consumables rise. In the longer term, tariffs may affect the cost of domestic manufacturing if presses become more expensive to purchase and maintain.”
The consequences of these tariffs are already being felt by readers and writers alike. Romance novelist Ali Hazelwood has axed her U.K. tour schedule. She made the move to fully virtual because she was worried about the financial impact from possible new tariffs. She explained her decision, saying, “This is because of several complicated reasons that mostly boil down to the fact that, things being what they are, it’s not possible for me to safely travel outside and then back inside the US.”
Amidst this uncertainty, BookTok creators have taken to social media to discuss the potential impact of tariffs on the book industry. Lia Reads, a prolific BookTok influencer, recently made one such video that has since gone viral with over 600,000 views. In it, she explains how these drastic economic shifts have affected both readers and writers of all ages. Cait, known on BookTok as Beneath the Covers NYC, urged followers to reconsider their purchasing choices in light of the evolving situation.
“Well, you might want to rethink that.” – Cait (Beneath the Covers NYC)
Homegrown publishers are struggling with increasing expenses. In the meantime, many U.S. readers continue to order titles from foreign competitors. Earlier release dates, exclusive content at different retailers, and limited edition collector’s releases usually drive this phenomenon. These wonderful alternatives, though, are all off the table in the U.S. market. Waterstones, the beloved UK bookseller, has some pretty great news for customers in the States. So order away while we all puzzle through the new tariff rules together!
“Customers in the USA are able to order from us whilst we work on the implications of new tariffs. Any future charges will be indicated at checkout.” – Waterstones
Even with prices expected to increase with the implementation of these tariffs, many readers are still untroubled at the prospect of paying more for their favorite books. As one passionate BookTok follower put it in response, “I’ll spend the money, I don’t care.”
On April 2, the White House released its first list of products excluded from new tariffs. This list mostly highlights print books and children’s picturebooks as the primary format. This action should go a long way toward giving much needed relief to both publishers and consumers. As initial tariff settlements run their course, discussions about additional tariff impacts have gotten underway and are heating up. This results in a volatile marketplace for domestic manufacturing and an unpredictable landscape for international trade.
Publishers have started to make major changes to their business strategies as they react to the news. As the entire economic landscape continues to change, so should the book industry. The interplay between tariffs and consumer preferences will undoubtedly shape the future of how books are produced and sold in America.