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A new report from �鶹apps for Free Trade reveals Iowa importers paid over three times more in tariffs this April than a year ago—an increase of $68 million, with 89% linked to Trump-era trade policies.

At a recent town hall at Cedar Ridge Distillery, community members discussed how tariff-driven uncertainty is hitting farmers and manufacturers. Soybean farmer Matthew Willimack described a “double-edged sword,” with tariffs raising input costs while also discouraging exports, particularly to China.

“Tariffs are money that we’re paying to the government, and we have to pass on to our customers in some cases,” Kinze Manufacturing VP of Supply Chain Management Richard Dix said. “In some cases, we absorb those directly as well, and it takes away from our bottom line.”

Cedar Ridge CEO Jeff Quint said they’ve halted international investments, especially as bourbon remains a frequent target for foreign tariffs.

Iowa State economist Chad Hart added that Iowa’s globally dependent economy is feeling the strain. Export costs remain murky, and there’s concern China may turn to other suppliers like Brazil. “It’s hard to manufacture profitability on a soybean acre today,” Willimack said.

Representatives from Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley’s offices attended the meeting to hear local concerns.

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