WASHINGTON — The Commerce Department said on Thursday that it would proceed with tariffs on Canadian newsprint, a blow to an already-struggling American newspaper industry. The tariffs are somewhat lower than what the department initially imposed, offering publishers a small reprieve. The agency said it would cap the tariffs at 16.88 percent, down from 22 percent, and apply them to just one Canadian manufacturer, Catalyst Paper Company. But the Commerce Department said it would also impose tariffs of up to 9.81 percent on several Canadian paper companies to counter subsidies that those manufacturers receive from the government. While the tariffs are not as severe as many in the industry had feared, much of the damage has already been done. …Industry executives said that the lower tariffs would ease the pain somewhat but that it was still a huge burden on an industry that cannot afford higher costs.