Cleaver: Tariffs are hurting our businesses

(From Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver)

Much is going on right now on Capitol Hill but there are still some critical issues that are on the minds of many hard-working people that have been buried under the headlines. One of those critical issues continues to be the effects of tariffs on the U.S. economy. Hundreds of thousands of jobs may be in jeopardy because of these tariffs. Congress must act to protect American workers, provide stability in place of the administration’s volatility and push to end this trade war as soon as possible.

In the last few months, I have visited with farmers, business leaders and organizations in my district. I’ve heard from large manufacturers and leaders of smaller companies and they have expressed their frustrations on how tariffs are affecting their bottom line. The products vary…ranging from aluminum to soybeans to beef…but all of those I’ve spoken with share one common fear, the fate of their businesses under these tariffs.

For example, Harley Davidson, a company I fought hard to bring to Kansas City, suddenly announced they were closing the plant and moving overseas. That left nearly a thousand workers unemployed overnight. Now, just imagine that multiplied around the country.

Agriculture is one of Missouri’s top industries, bringing in about $88 billion per year. Most farmers tell me that the recently announced USDA payments are a start, but that ultimately they want trade, not aid.

What I learned is that these tariffs are hurting these businesses in ways we haven’t even thought of and Congress needs to take action to protect American jobs.