By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Tariffs on Canadian products will include newsprint used by newspapers, magazines, book publishers and printers.

The tariffs were originally set to take place in early February but were postponed until March 4. This could change, as of this writing on Feb. 28, if another extension comes from the Trump administration.

The Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA), along with the News/Media Alliance and other associations, are working to stop the proposed tariffs on newsprint and other supplies. These organizations have advocated for an exemption/exclusion process or passing legislation to limit the tariffs. 

NMA, which includes newspapers in Otter Tail County, provided information to help bolster its arguments when newspaper editors and publishers met with area legislators.

Members of the news media encouraged the Trump Administration to limit the tariffs. Publishers encouraged their representatives at the state legislature and in Congress to help suspend these tariffs and protect the distribution of local news.

For more information from the Minnesota Newspaper Association on this subject contact Executive Director Lisa Hills at  Lisa@mna.org to find at more about where things are at with the tariff issue at the present time.