St. Paul, MN - Following the recent announcement of wide-sweeping tariffs from the Trump administration, State Representative Michael Howard (DFL - Richfield) will introduce legislation to study the impact of the Trump tariffs on the affordability of basic goods and broader economic challenges for Minnesota businesses, consumers, and our economy as a whole.
Minnesota’s economy relies on over $20 billion in foreign imports every year, with areas of significant potential impact being agriculture, manufacturing, and retail.
Economists have broadly concluded that tariffs will have an impact on the prices of daily goods, like the price of groceries. Minnesota farmers have already experienced impacts from the Trump tariffs. In addition, Minnesota’s housing industry is bracing for impacts that will lead to higher construction costs. Rep. Howard said it’s vital the state has a complete and holistic understanding of how these tariffs are impacting Minnesotans and our economy.
“The Trump tariffs are a tax on Minnesotans and part of his ongoing effort to sabotage Minnesota’s economy and state budget,” said Rep. Howard. “When the federal government drops the ball, it's vital that the state of Minnesota is prepared to lead. This bill will help our state better understand the impacts and ripple effects of the Trump tariffs that are about to slam Minnesota and our businesses from border-to-border.”
Rep. Howard’s bill would direct the Commissioner of? Minnesota Management and Budget to examine tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and any retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries, and quantify economic impacts? for households by income level and for businesses by sector and size. The Commissioner would be required to submit the study’s findings to the legislature by February 1, 2026.
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