As Catholics, we treasure the Bible as the Word of God and a source of divine guidance in our daily lives. But recent news reveals that printed Bibles—especially those manufactured overseas—may soon come with a significantly higher price tag, due to new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration. This includes even Trump’s own personally branded Bible, raising concerns for Christians across the United States.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing—described as the largest commercial Bible publisher in the U.S.—said it was “all hands on deck” after the announcement of new international tariffs. The issue stems from the fact that Bibles are “typically printed on thin paper stock and with presses that are largely located outside the U.S.,” including China, which handles the production of Trump’s official “God Bless the USA” Bibles.
In his announcement, the president used a prop chart to show that Chinese imports will now face a 34% “reciprocal” tariff, in addition to a 20% tariff already in place—bringing the total to 54%. That level of taxation could deeply impact Bible publishers who rely on Chinese printers due to their unique ability to produce lightweight, compact Bibles at scale.
Though President Trump has not disclosed the exact cost of manufacturing his Bible or how much he personally earns from each sale, global trade records reviewed by the Associated Press indicate that nearly 120,000 copies of the “God Bless the USA” Bible were shipped from a printing company in Hangzhou, China, to the United States last year. The AP estimates the total shipment value was $342,000, putting the cost at less than $3 per Bible. Yet, these Bibles are sold for a minimum of $59.99, and a hand-signed version was previously priced at $1,000.
While some may argue that this is simply the cost of doing business, these developments raise a spiritual question: Should access to the Word of God be influenced by global politics and profit margins?
As the Catholic Church teaches, the Bible is a sacred gift, not a commodity. For those concerned about rising Bible costs, it’s important to know that Catholic Online offers the entire Bible for free, accessible to anyone, anytime. Whether you’re looking for daily readings, devotions, or full Scripture texts, Catholic Online provides faithful, ad-free access to God’s Word.
Additionally, Catholic Online School, a mission-driven nonprofit, offers free courses on the Bible and Catholic teachings, empowering students of all ages to grow in faith and knowledge. With 1.5 million enrolled students from around the globe, it’s a powerful alternative for those who want to dive deeper into Scripture without financial or political barriers.
As tariff battles unfold and even religious items like Bibles get caught in economic crossfire, Catholics can take comfort in knowing that the Church continues to provide Scripture as it was always meant to be: freely, faithfully, and fully accessible to all.
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