German media giant Bertelsmann expects disruption from US tariffs

German media conglomerate Bertelsmann could see disruption from US President Donald Trump's tariff dispute with Canada.

Chief executive Thomas Rabe told dpa on Monday that the group's publishing houses in the United States, which include the world-leading Penguin Random House in New York, source paper from Canada.

"The relationship between Canada and the US has a particular impact on our book business," he added. "But we can deal with that. The business is not so big that it would have such a significant impact on the group."

Rabe cited printed products from China as another example of possible effects. "We have been printing colour books in China for years," he said.

Bertelsmann, based in the western German town of Gütersloh, has 75,000 employees worldwide in the media, education and services sectors.

Its other leading divisions include European media giant RTL, the BMG music business and services company Arvato.

Business in North America accounted for 29% of total sales for the Bertelsmann Group in 2024, with Germany providing 27%.

Responding to Trump's tariff policy, Rabe said the US is "by far the largest media, services and education market. This will remain the case under the Trump administration."

"We remain fundamentally convinced of the US market. We will continue to expand our business in the US," he added.

The company saw revenue rise by 3.3% to €19 billion ($20.6 billion) in 2024, with profit exceeding €1 billion for the 10th consecutive year.