**London**: Waterstones has announced it will stop shipping to the US due to new tariffs imposed by President Trump. The bookstore aims to establish compliant shipping options, marking a significant change in international book trading. Other countries remain unaffected by this restriction for now.
In a significant shift for international book trading, the popular UK-based bookstore Waterstones announced on Thursday that it will cease shipping orders to the United States. This decision comes in response to the new tariff plan implemented by President Donald Trump, which introduces tariffs of 10% on the United Kingdom and 20% on the European Union.
Waterstones conveyed this update through a bold notice on the delivery options page of their website, stating, “We regret that we are currently unable to accept or ship orders to the U.S., while we establish options to be compliant with the new tariffs.” As of the latest update, the United States has been marked as “currently suspended” in the list of countries eligible for shipping.
Prior to this change, customers in the United States were able to order books from Waterstones, typically receiving their shipments within eight days. However, this option is no longer available under the new trade conditions. Notably, this restriction on shipping applies solely to the United States, with no similar bans on other countries at the time of the announcement.
President Trump has labelled his approach to tariffs as “kind reciprocal”, indicating that while the tariffs may seem steep, they do not align with the levies that some countries impose on US exporters. He has referred to the rates as the “discounted reciprocal tariff,” suggesting an intention to create a sense of fairness in international trade.
Waterstones, known for its extensive literary selection and vibrant bookshop culture, has a mission to reintegrate books into the cultural conversation by offering a fusion of diverse literary options, author events, and experienced booksellers. The bookstore also owns Barnes & Noble, further emphasising its impact on the literary market.
The Associated Press has also contributed to this reporting on the evolving trade dynamics affecting the international book-selling industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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