(NewsNation) — Missouri Congressman Jason Smith, the Republican chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, says his constituents support President Trump’s attempts to level global markets through tariffs, even if it takes awhile to reap the benefits.
“I represent one of the poorest congressional districts in the nation,” Smith told NewsNation’s “On Balance” on Wednesday, after Trump announced his latest plans to tariff imports from several countries.
“What I hear from my farmers — agriculture is the number one industry in my region — is that we’re willing to have the short-term pain for the long-term gain,” Smith added.
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He said his congressional district is at a competitive disadvantage because of tariffs on U.S. products. Smith said Japan, for example, slaps a 700% tariff on rice.
“We have to open up those markets,” the congressman said. “We grow rice in the bootheel of Missouri. We want to be able to sell our rice everywhere. But whenever a country who’s supposed to be a friend charges a 700% tariff, that’s not acceptable.”
