Missouri Democrat U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver is pushing the Trump administration to create an automatic refund system for tariff‑related costs, arguing that the financial fallout is hitting Missouri families, farmers and small businesses.
Cleaver told Missourinet that rising expenses tied to tariffs are squeezing producers and consumers across the state. He said economists broadly agree that tariffs function as added costs on Americans.
“And look, don’t take the word of a member of Congress who might have partisan views mixed in with an analysis,” Cleaver said. “Just about every major economist in the world has said that these tariffs are essentially taxes.”
The Kansas City Democrat said the idea of rebate checks has surfaced before under President Trump, but he believes the current economic climate makes the proposal more urgent. He pointed to the strain on both urban and rural parts of Missouri.
“It’s not a healthy thing that’s going on right now for our nation, for Kansas City or St. Louis, nor is it going well for the smaller communities around the state of Missouri where farmers are living and supporting life,” he said.
Cleaver and dozens of Democratic lawmakers have asked federal agencies to establish a refund program that would cover small‑business costs and make consumers eligible for reimbursement. The administration has not indicated whether it plans to act on the request.
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