Trump administration tariffs designed to level the economic playing field are trickling down to average Iowans. Some are unable to afford basic necessities because prices have spiked. The tariffs have created higher input costs for corn and soybean farmers, but on a smaller scale, higher levies on imported goods have increased the cost of certain essential items. Matt Chapman, associated with Progress Iowa, has to rely on a credit card to pay for his medical issues, when he hasn’t had to in the past.
“I think it’s really painful for the folks on the margins. And I know that our local food pantry, and I go there, even before the SNAP boondoggle came down, they were just getting more and more people coming in. From five years ago to what it is now, it has to have at least doubled.”
The Tax Foundation says more than 70-percent of U-S imports are subject to tariffs, which will continue to drive up grocery prices and manufactured goods. Chapman says as tariffs put Iowa farmers in a bind, he’s paying more for fruit, vegetables, and beef.
“Prices just keep going up. I haven’t had red meat in a couple months.”
Tariffs have also been changing from one day to the next, and while some have recently been reduced, prices on in-store inventory take time to change.
This story courtesy Public News Service.
