This wasn’t on anyone’s TBR, but here we are… US tariffs are seriously threatening not only local bookstores throughout Canada, but the indie bookselling realm as well. Jody Royer reflects on the many ways the tariffs and retaliatory counter-tariffs are impacting readers and their bookshelves in Canada:
Canadians are looking for ways to battle off the tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by US President Donald J. Trump. Despite this, Canadian readers are worried about the impact and many are already feeling the effects. Libraries, booksellers and publishers are particularly worried that books published in Canada will become massively impacted by the tariffs as well. With book prices rising on the shelves in bookstores, it’s likely that many shops will close.. And that many readers will be seeking their reading material elsewhere, leaving Canadian bookstores in the dust. eBooks and eReaders are expected to be on the rise, Jody Royer says.
Canadian Authors Suffer From Counter-Tariffs
Majority of Books Sold in Canada are Published in the US
Even books authored by Canadian writers are typically published via United States based printers and stored in American warehouses. In light of the new tariffs being imposed on Canada, booksellers and Canadian Publishers like Jack Illingworth are encouraging readers to buy local. As a representative of small and medium sized publishers in Canada, Illingworth stresses that there are many books printed right here in the Great White North! Buy local!
Bookstores Could Collapse if They Absorb the Cost
A 25% counter-tariff on books imported from the United States is already devastating local bookstores. Many readers may opt for other choices in light of the increased expense. Bookstores who choose to absorb the cost will be doomed to failure. With most Canadian authors having their books published and housed in the US, even local writers will see impact.
Canadian Readers Consider eBook and eReader Alternatives
With the increased prices on print books (including novels and textbooks), accessibility is already becoming a major issue. With this in mind, Canadian readers are being driven towards ebooks and ereaders to lighten the impact. The increase in the cost of printing physical print books is likely to push readers in this direction. However, Canadian author and book reviewer Jody Royer is a huge fan of his ereaders and has to say: the Canadian landscape has been shifting towards ebooks for a while!
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