The story on Hagadone closing its commercial printing operation in Hawaii included a statement that an important reason for the closing was the increased cost of coated paper imported from China, due to tariffs “levied by China” (“Hagadone to stop print operations; 93 to lose jobs,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 10).

No! The current trade dispute between the United States and China features tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imports from China, and retaliatory tariffs imposed by China on goods from the U.S.

For China to put tariffs on its own exports to the U.S. would be like deliberately shooting itself in the foot.

I’ve seen social media posts quoting the Star-Advertiser’s misleading statement. Let’s assign blame for the loss of 93 jobs in Hawaii where it belongs — on the Trump administration.

David Monk

Hawaii Kai

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