Newsprint tariff 'a kick in the guts,' says Corner Brook mayor

Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons says the announcement of a new tariff that hits the city's paper mill hard was rough.

"It was like getting a kick in the guts, to tell you the truth," he said.

Parsons says Corner Brook Pulp and Paper is being unfairly swept up in broad action by the U.S. Department of Commerce to combat what it says is dumping of newsprint onto the U.S. market at an unfair price.

There's no point waiting for a trade war. We're in a trade war right now.- Jim Parsons

"Kruger wasn't one of the study companies. There were three, not including Kruger, and one received a tariff of 22 per cent in addition. The other two had a zero per cent additional tariff, and then it said all other mills, which will include ours, will get the 22," he said.

"So it's not based on any actual fact. We're getting lumped in here in an unfair way, in my opinion."

'Unfair and unfounded'

Parsons says it's part of a broader narrative from the Trump administration.

"It's amazing to think when you watch the American broadcasts that that can actually have an impact here in Corner Brook, but it does," he said.

"It's especially frustrating when it seems to be unfair and unfounded."

Parsons said he's been in touch with the provincial government, which was already looking into a nearly 10 per cent tariff that was announced in early January.

"We're really strongly urging our federal government, and the prime minister, to really sort of take a strong stance on this," he said.

"There's no point waiting for a trade war. We're in a trade war right now."

Go to Washington, Davis tells Ball

That war also extends to the provincial House of Assembly, where political leaders were locked in a heated exchange during question period on Thursday.

Opposition leader Paul Davis repeatedly asked Premier Dwight Ball what he was doing to prevent the tariffs from taking effect.

"The questions that are coming from the leader of the Opposition are politically motivated," Ball responded. "We as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should stand together fighting against the Trump administration and these decisions."

Davis responded by again asking what Ball was doing.

"Instead of throwing mud, he should be focused on the questions, on the answers and what he has done for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," Davis said.

"We have people engaged at every single level," Ball yelled in response.

"I ask the member opposite, what is it he expects us to do, go and march into the White House and get a meeting with Trump? Oh yeah, good luck."

After heckling and jeering from both sides of the floor, Davis clapped back.

"Good idea by the premier opposite. Maybe he should get a plane and go knock on some doors in Washington."

Ball said his government has been involved in discussions with the ambassador to the United States, the prime minister, officials with the federal government and more.