Some good news for Christian book publishers came after it was announced that US tariffs would not be imposed on Bibles from China.

As the date for tariffs to be imposed -- September 1 -- looms closer, Christian publishers can rest assured that no Bible shortage will befall America, CBN News says.

The tariffs worried many who knew China to be the world's largest producer of Bibles.

President Donald Trump announced on August 1, 2019, that a 10 per cent increase on $300 billion of Chinese goods will take effect as of the beginning of September after he rebuked China for not purchasing more American agricultural products. While a number of items will be taxed, Bibles are not one of them.

In June, it was announced that a Bible shortage would be possible under Trump's tariffs on China, due to the costliness of producing some translations for Christian publishers. The tariffs expected to come into effect were nicknamed the "Bible tax."

Bibles, among other specified products, were taken off the list of items to be under tariffs due to "health, safety, national security, and other factors."

"The announcement has given us hope that the administration has heard our concern," shared Lifeway Christian Resources President and CEO Ben Mandrell. But he is still concerned about the close call.

"Nevertheless, I am troubled that the Word of God would ever be taken hostage in an international trade dispute. These past months have strengthened our resolve to get Bibles to the people who need them. Our mandate is built on obedience to Christ, regardless of any policy proposal from Washington, DC."

In June 2019, Trump announced a plan to tax certain Chinese goods at 25 per cent.

President and CEO of the Associate of American Publishers Maria A. Pallante shared the government's decision to restrict what items the tariffs will cover.

"We are pleased that the administration did not include Bibles and other religious books on the first list of products to be subject to the tariffs, and delayed tariffs on children's books until December 15th," she said.

Not including the number of Bibles that are sold directly to congregations by publishers, the Bible sold over 5.7 million printed copies in 2018, making it the top-selling book in the United States.