Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II is pleased to announce a community discussion on trade on Monday, July 2nd at 5:00 p.m. in Higginsville, MO at the Higginsville Community Center located at 2101 Walnut Street. The guest speaker for the meeting will be Consul General John Cruikshank from the Canadian Consulate in Chicago, IL. The Consul General will be speaking about NAFTA negotiations and the current trade issues between Canada and the United States.

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II

Canada is Missouri’s number one customer and sells more to Missouri than it sells to India, according to the Consulate General of Canada. Over 160, 000 jobs in Missouri depend on trade and investment with Canada. Missouri’s automobile industry steers a large portion of the state’s economy. For example, as a major producer of steel and aluminum parts for the auto-sector, Ontario-based Martinrea International Inc. employs over 300 people at a site in Riverside, MO.

Missouri’s famers and manufacturers export $800 million in products and services to Canada each year. The White House announced a 25 percent tariff for steel and a 10 percent tariff for aluminum earlier this spring. The tariffs have yielded retaliatory tariffs from several nations.

• Mexico has imposed $3 billion worth of tariffs on U.S exports. These include 20 percent tariffs on U.S. pork, apples, and potatoes, and a 25 percent tariff on cheese and bourbon.
• The EU has implemented tariffs on over $7 Billion worth of U.S goods such as denim, orange juice, bourbon, peanut butter, motor boats and cigarettes. Missouri has over $246 Million worth of goods that are subject to the EU tariffs.
• Canada has imposed tariffs on a wide variety of U.S. exports set to take effect July 1st. The 25% tariff on nearly $13 Billion in US goods include: steel and aluminum, prepared meals, maple syrup and pizza.
• China has implemented a new 15 percent tariff on 120 U.S. imported goods, including fruits and wine and has increased existing tariffs on pork and scrap aluminum to 25 percent.

“President Trump’s tariffs imposed on the EU, Canada, China, and Mexico will hurt Missouri farmers far more than this administration is willing to admit. Agriculture is Missouri’s top industry, providing over 400,000 jobs in Missouri and the impact of these tariffs will create unnecessary financial hardships on farmers. I’m calling on the rural community to join us for a discussion on this issue and to share your concerns,” said Congressman Cleaver.

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