Trump’s Tariffs Leaves Iowans Struggling
Nunn and Miller-Meeks continue backing the tariffs driving up costs across Iowa
DES MOINES — Today, President Trump and his GOP supporters are celebrating the anniversary of Trump’s tariffs. But for Iowans, there is nothing to celebrate.
The Republican tariffs have driven up the cost of everything from groceries and energy costs to manufacturing parts and farming necessities like fertilizer. How have tariffs been allowed to stick around while causing such economic harm? Because members of Congress like Rep. Zach Nunn and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks have repeatedly voted to support and defend them. Now, Iowans are paying for it every day.
Tariffs are a tax passed down to consumers and Iowa families are the ones footing the bill. In 2025 alone, they added roughly $1,000 in costs for the average household, squeezing budgets that are already stretched thin.
"Grocery shopping has become one of the most stressful parts of managing our household,” says Alexis, a parent in Muscatine, whose family has felt the increased costs. “The cost of basic food items has risen to the point that I have to plan every meal in advance and shop very strategically just to make our budget last the month.”
“These rising prices are not just an inconvenience. They are forcing families like mine to spend more time, energy, and mental effort just to maintain basic food access," says Alexis. “What used to be a routine weekly errand now requires constant calculation, tradeoffs, and worry about whether the money will be enough to get us through the month."
For farmers, the damage is also severe. Trade wars triggered by Trump’s tariffs have shut Iowa producers out of key markets, driven down crop prices, and raised the cost of inputs like fertilizer and equipment. For manufacturers, tariffs have increased production costs and created uncertainty that has threatened jobs across the state, causing mass layoffs in some industries.
“This chaotic tariff policy is not getting us any closer to fair trade,” Aaron Lehman, farmer and president of the Iowa Farmers Union says. “We are no closer to stopping product dumping, manipulative monetary policies, uneven labor and environmental standards, and unfair labeling restrictions.”
These consequences are not a surprise. Our GOP Representatives were warned about, repeatedly. And still, Nunn and Miller-Meeks chose to back them.
They voted for Trump’s tariff agenda. They defended it. And when given the chance to stand up for Iowa workers and oppose tariffs on Canada, Iowa’s largest trading partner, they refused. They continue to stand behind Trump’s tariffs at the expense of Iowa’s farmers, workers, and families.
Trump’s “Tariff Liberation Day” is a political slogan. For Iowa families, it means higher bills, fewer opportunities, and more uncertainty.