A town hall meeting in Williamsburg, Iowa allowed various groups to discuss how rising tariffs and trade tension between the U.S. and China has hurt their businesses, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers and the organization Tariffs Hurt the Heartland co-hosted the event. More than 120 people were in attendance including, small equipment manufacturers, farmers, and small business owners.
Sen. Joni Ernst spoke at the event emphasizing the need to end the current tariffs on steel and aluminum as well as tariffs on Chinese goods. Ernst also discussed why Congress should ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and how lawmakers must consider the impact on consumers and businesses across the nation.
“Trade supports one in five jobs in Iowa, and we know tariffs are threatening these jobs by adding additional expenses and hurting our farmers. It’s time for this practice to stop,” said Ernst.
The Senator has also pushed for legislation that would reform Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to better hold accountable countries that violate U.S. trade laws while also protecting American jobs and strengthening the economy.