Rep. Cleaver Joins House Colleagues to Demand the Trump Administration Permanently Rescind Tariffs on Canada
(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined 60 House Democrats in demanding the Trump Administration permanently rescind the President’s executive order levying a 25 percent blanket tariff on Canadian imports and a 10 percent tariff on imported Canadian oil. Yesterday, the Trump Administration delayed the implementation of tariffs by 30 days, which were originally announced on February 1 and would have gone into formal effect on February 4.
In a letter to President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Acting Secretary of Commerce Jeremy Pelter, and Acting United States Trade Representative Juan Millan, the lawmakers addressed the economic harm these tariffs on Canada would have for hardworking families across the country.
“Constituents in our districts are already facing high energy prices and grocery store costs,” the lawmakers wrote. “We appreciate the announcement of the 30-day pause on implementation; however, the threat of these tariffs still harms the economic well-being of working-class Americans. As hardworking families continue struggling with inflation, the last thing we should do is make the cost of living even more expensive. We urge you to rescind your Executive Order imposing additional tariffs on Canada.”
The members also highlighted the importance of maintaining the strategic alliance between the two countries.
“Canada is not our competitor nor our adversary—they are one of our closest allies and trading partners, with tightly intertwined economies, similar values, and shared geography,” the lawmakers continued. “Our soldiers have fought and bled alongside each other in Normandy, Korea, and Afghanistan. We jointly protect North American airspace through the world’s only binational military command, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). We share the world’s largest source of freshwater and, together, we maintain peaceful trade and security along the world’s longest land border.”
Missouri currently sells more goods to Canada than to its next five largest foreign markets combined, with $6.5 billion in goods exported to Canada annually. Moreover, 184 Canadian-owned companies employ approximately 11,950 workers in Missouri.
The official letter from lawmakers is available here.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.