tariffs

KCUR invited Congress members from Kansas and Missouri to answer questions from constituents about what's happening in Washington. Despite multiple invitations to each of the area’s federal elected officials, just Democratic Reps. Sharice Davids and Emanuel Cleaver II chose to attend. Here's what we heard.

The spring planting season is getting started for many Midwest farmers. Federal data suggests that fewer acres will be planted in soybeans than last year, in part because of the U.S. trade war with China.

Missouri fireworks merchandisers worry President Trump’s 145% tariffs on Chinese goods will cut into business for an industry that relies on Independence Day.

Many people relying on Medicaid for health insurance are concerned about potential cuts by the federal government, but in rural Kansas, community members don't like to talk about it. A newspaper editor from Marion, Kansas, explains why that is.

Missouri residents have spoken up about how President Donald Trump's aggressive federal workforce cuts and tariffs have hurt the region. U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II said there's little Democrats can do in Congress, but that protests remain a powerful tool for pushing back against the government.

A shortage of cocoa beans is driving up the cost to make chocolate — especially for small chocolatiers. That means people buying chocolate for Easter can expect high prices.

Consumers can expect to see an increase in coffee, chocolate, cars, electronics and more due to the sweeping tariffs put in place by President Trump. Experts predict the rise in prices could cost the average family living in America between $1,200 and $4,000 a year.

President Trump said that he is standing up for skilled workers and farmers by slapping tariffs on imports but farmers aren't happy. "It is being economically drawn and quartered," one Kansas farmer said.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins assured an audience of agriculture leaders that the president would remember farmers in the midst of imposing tariffs.

The Kansas Department of Transportation said that federal steel and aluminum tariffs, which are already in place, are going to make it more expensive to work. Another wave of tariffs are expected on April 2.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said he’s talked to President Trump about keeping the state’s priorities intact. But Missouri Republicans are closely watching if the federal government's mass layoffs, tariffs and cuts to popular programs like Medicaid spark a broader backlash.

The Trump administration’s tariff announcements this week are bringing uncertainty to farmers going into planting season. Farm groups warn that retaliatory tariffs will add an additional “burden” to U.S. producers.