China paper duties hurt U.S. printers

Although there may exist U.S. industries hurt by Chinese government subsidies, it is sad that the Bush administration chose the American paper industry as its example (“U.S. to slap duties on China paper,” March 31).

As the owner of a small local printing company that used $1 million of the $224 million of coated sheet paper imported from China last year, I know the reality. This segment of the U.S. paper industry has refused to install new equipment in the last 30 years, while the Chinese have brand-new machines. As a result, U.S. papermakers can compete on price, but not on quality.

The Bush administration’s decision is potentially devastating to the consumer of that high-quality Chinese paper: the U.S. printing industry, which employs 1.1 million Americans in 40,000 firms and exports more than it imports.

This will lead to more economic harm than benefit.

DOUG RAWSON

Superior Lithographics

Vernon