SE Kansas City News

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who represents Missouri’s 5th district in the U.S. Congress, has voiced concerns on social media about the impact of recent tariff policies on American consumers and farmers.

On September 15, 2025, Cleaver stated, “Since President Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods in February, Beijing has retaliated by halting all purchases of American soybeans. That decision has had devastating repercussions for farmers”. Later that day, he added, “Coffee. Beef. Prescription Drugs. They’re all getting more expensive thanks to the president’s tariff taxes.”

Continuing his criticism on September 16, Cleaver wrote, “Virtually all major grocery categories are now more expensive than they were a year ago, some substantially so.” The president said he would lower costs for hardworking families. Instead, his tariff taxes are exacerbating our cost-of-living crisis.

Cleaver’s remarks come amid ongoing debate over the economic effects of tariffs imposed by President Trump earlier in the year. The tariffs led to retaliatory actions from China, including a halt in purchases of American agricultural products such as soybeans—a move that has affected U.S. farmers.

Emanuel Cleaver has served as the representative for Missouri’s 5th District since 2005 after succeeding Karen McCarthy. Born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1944 and currently residing in Kansas City, Cleaver holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Prairie View A&M University.