Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Karen Pratte

To the Editor:

Iowans work hard, sometimes holding multiple jobs, to pay bills and provide for their families. Workers keep our communities thriving, and small businesses keep jobs in towns. Trump’s tariffs and trade war threaten workers, small businesses, and communities.

Trump unilaterally levied broad sweeping tariffs on our trading partners. Trading partners retaliated by imposing tariffs on U.S. exports. Trump, Rep. Ashley Hinson, and Republicans are trying to trick us into believing China, Canada, Mexico, and other countries will pay the price of tariffs.

Americans are smarter than that. We know that countries exporting goods to the U.S. will offset their higher expenses by raising the prices of items. Increased prices will be paid by the American consumer. Make no mistake, tariffs are a tax on consumers.

Already, groceries, gas, and basic household goods are getting more expensive. The economy is slowing down, and economists warn of a recession where workers are laid off, consumer spending shrinks, and shelves are empty.

Senator Ernst, Representatives Hinson, Miller-Meeks, Nunn, and Feenstra either support Trump’s Tariff Tax or are too scared to stand up to him. They continue to be Trump’s loyal puppets. Iowans and the nation deserve better.

Karen Pratte
Waterville