Following our coverage of how US President Trump’s tariffs may affecting publishers, Chinese printers have moved swiftly to reassure publishers in America, the UK and elsewhere that books printed there should not be impacted by the escalating trade war between the US and China.
While they are, of course, placating people’s fears about bringing in publications from the Far East, we understand the legal basis that exempts applies to all tariffs, dating back to the Cold War, is still in force.
This exemption was picked up by Jim Milliot at Publishers Weekly, who confirmed that a Cold War-era exemption is still in place, for now and reported elsewhere by The Comics Beat and other outlets, such as ICV2.
downthetubes received a message from a reader outlining correspondence from one Chinese printer, stating:
“Just wanted to send a quick update on the additional tariffs that the President keeps adding. I have good news from another publisher and they have allowed me to share this with you. I hope it will make you feel a little more confident with these exemptions….
“President Trump has invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose the tariffs and country based reciprocal tariffs by declaring a “national emergency”. It’s important to note that the IEEPA includes a specific exemption clause in the Berman Amendment that protects publications, both commercial and otherwise, from its regulations, ensuring U.S. citizens’ right to access information. As a result, even if Trump increases tariffs to intensify the trade war, printed books will remain exempt as long as the IEEPA is used as the legal basis.
“This presents an opportunity for books to regain shelf space in the retail market. This IEEPA exemption ensures printed books will not incur tariff costs, unlike other goods that might see increases of 10% or more. This stability makes books a safe and predictable choice, so encourage retailers to stock more titles and prominently display them, leveraging their tariff-proof status while other products face uncertainty – positioning books as a smart, competitive edge.
“Although books could potentially be subject to additional Section 301 (fair trade) or Section 232 (national security) tariffs, these measures cannot be swiftly implemented due to the mandatory procedural investigations required by the Trade Representative’s Office or the Department of Commerce. Consequently, we can be confident that Trump will continue to use the IEEPA to adjust tariff rates for negotiation leverage, ensuring that printed books remain exempt.”
The wording in the piece specifically states “publications”, so while books are exempt this should, presumably apply to game books and comics, too.
Comic companies who print periodicals in Canada are not, currently facing any tariffs – so this may apply to the UK publications entering the US, too, such as 2000AD, Doctor Who Magazine, Titan Comics titles, and other works.
• Also on downthetubes: Trump’s Tariffs: How They Impact the Comic Industry and others
• The exemptions to Chinese tariffs are mentioned in the official White House proclamation, and laid out in several annexes (links via The Comics Beat)
Our thanks to generous readers for this update
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: downthetubes News
Next London Comic Mart offers comic art portfolio rarities 
Doctor Simpo and Graham Manley’s Space Dork collected 
In Review: Romo The Wolfboy in “Strange Case of Cackle and Hide” 
In Review: Doctor Who – Lux