BIBLE ‘TAX’ AVOIDED

Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — Southern Baptist leaders welcomed indications from the U.S. Trade Ambassador on Aug. 13 that a so-called “Bible tax” will be avoided.

Bibles and religious literature currently are no longer subject to the upcoming 10 percent tariff hike set to be imposed on goods imported from China beginning Sept. 1. Previously, Bibles were among the items that would see a price increase as part of the growing trade war between the U.S. and China.

LifeWay Christian Resources CEO Ben Mandrell expressed relief at the news of a reprieve.

“For the past several months, there has been great concern among the Christian publishing community that our important work would be threatened by proposed tariff schedules,” Mandrell said. “This announcement by the U.S. Trade Representative has given us hope that the administration has heard our concern.”

On Aug. 13, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released two lists of the items — those that will be subject to the tariff in September and those whose tariffs will be postponed until Dec. 15.

Religious literature, including the Bible, are no longer on either list.