What are Iowa’s electeds doing about Trump’s tariffs?

President Donald Trump decided his huge tariffs causing world markets to slump was maybe not the best idea today.

But he’s still keeping with 10% tariffs on most countries, keeping Canada and Mexico the same, and actually increasing them on China to 125%, to the chagrin of Iowa soybean farmers.

Why reverse course so quickly, especially after he said hours earlier he would not? (Certainly not to make rich people richer—that would be illegal market manipulation!)

But more importantly: What does Iowa’s congressional delegation think of the still-in-effect 10% across-the-board tariffs, not to mention 125% tariffs to Iowa’s biggest trade partner?

Sen. Chuck Grassley: I’ll give him the most credit out of all of our congresspeople here for actually sponsoring a bill in the Senate that would cut off any new tariffs after 60 days, unless Congress approves. But even still, a lot of damage can be inflicted in two months before Congress would be allowed to put their thumb on the scale—plus, he voted against a bill (that did pass) that would specifically block Trump’s tariffs against Canada (where he knows popular Iowa fertilizer ingredient potash comes from).

Sen. Joni Ernst: Probably wary of burning more bridges with MAGA over the Hegseth debacle, Ernst is trying an indirect way of exempting both potash and phosphate from tariffs. How? By naming them to the Critical Minerals List, which would exempt just those two things from tariffs. Except farmers need fifty-eleven MORE things exempted just to try and stave off the effects of what is already an ag downturn, so it’s far from enough.

Our representatives in the House, on the other hand, don’t seem concerned!

Rep. Ashley Hinson defended the tariffs, saying, “President Trump’s goal is free and fair trade. I do want to ensure that that’s carried out in the way that … minimize[s] damage to our producers and provides some certainty, while also making sure we’re not being taken advantage of on the global stage.” How is she doing that? By “pushing for legislation to open more foreign markets to Iowa’s farmers.” I guess that means in tariff-free Russia?

Rep. Zach Nunn is also fine with it: “I’d rather have this battle today with countries like China—where I serve on the China Select Committee, and I’ve seen what they’re doing—have this battle today with them on trade, versus 10 years now when they control all of the export markets.” Ask Iowa farmers about how tariff battles go with China.

Rep. Randy Feenstra straight-up loves the tariffs: “Trump ran on this, and I agree with it—America first. We’re buying all this stuff from our foreign adversaries like China and other countries. You know, we’ve got to make it right here, right in the US, US made.” Can’t wait for all those jobs screwing in tiny iPhone screws! (Oh wait, they’ll be automated.)

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks doesn’t seem to have noticed?

Are you surprised by their reactions? What should our congresspeople actually be doing?