Paper tariffs could protect Maine jobs
New federal tariffs on imported paper are expected to help preserve jobs at Maine mills.
The U.S. Department of Commerce last week approved preliminary tariffs on coated paper imported from China and Indonesia to offset government subsidies in those countries and discourage those countries from dumping the paper into U.S. markets at prices lower than the costs to produce it, according to the Kennebec Journal. The measure affects an estimated 1,200 jobs at Sappi Fine Paper mills in Skowhegan and Westbrook, and 700-800 jobs at the NewPage mill in Rumford. Both companies had participated in unfair-trade cases filed with the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission.
The temporary tariffs assessed on Chinese coated paper products range from about 30% to 135%, while imports from Indonesia will be taxed 10.62%, according to the paper. The commerce department will issue a preliminary decision on the tariffs in the next few months, with a final determination expected in September.
Go to the article from the Kennebec Journal >>
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