President Donald Trump landed in Dubuque on Sunday promising Iowa farmers a major win on trade, telling reporters that a new agreement with Canada will wipe out tariffs that have cost agricultural producers dearly.
Speaking on the tarmac before his rally, Trump said American farmers have been paying steep tariffs to sell products north of the border, with some dairy goods facing rates as high as 400%. Under the agreement he described, those tariffs disappear entirely.
Trump asks Burgum to keep him on message
Trump was in Iowa to campaign for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections, including Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is defending her seat this cycle. The stop is part of a broader swing through red states aimed at boosting GOP turnout on Tuesday, according to Raw Story.
While talking through his trade negotiations with Canada, Trump hit on a line he clearly liked, then paused and turned to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who was traveling with him.
“One thing we didn't talk about is the fact that our farmers were paying tremendous tariffs to send things to Canada. All those tariffs will be gone. There will be no tariffs. They were paying as much as 400% for milk products and other things. So part of the agreement is that our farmers will have to pay no tariffs,” Trump said.
“And I hope I remember to mention that in my speech today. I'm in the right place, being in Iowa. That's a good thing,” he added, before asking Burgum, “Will you please remind me to mention it?”
The moment was caught on video and quickly circulated online, with the president later telling reporters the ad-lib caught even him off guard, as NewsNow reported.
What the Canada deal means for Iowa agriculture
For Iowa's farm economy, the stakes are real. Canada has long been one of the largest buyers of American agricultural goods, and dairy has been a persistent flashpoint. Canadian supply management rules have historically limited access for U.S. milk, cheese and butter, a grievance Iowa dairy producers have raised for years.
Trump's claim that farmers were paying as much as 400% on milk products points to the steep over-quota tariffs Canada applies once import thresholds are hit. If those barriers are gone, Iowa producers would have a wider lane into a market that sits right next door.
The president delivered his remarks at the Dubuque campaign rally, where he stumped for Iowa Republican candidates in the final stretch before Election Day.
A rally sprint through red states
Sunday's Iowa stop fits a broader pattern. Trump has been crisscrossing Republican-leaning states in the closing days of the midterms, working to energize the GOP base even as some Republicans in competitive races have kept their distance from him.
Rep. Hinson has been a visible part of the president's Iowa push. She appeared at a recent Sioux City event with Trump, and CNN noted the president called her on stage during that stop, putting a spotlight on one of the state's most closely watched House races.
After Iowa, Trump's schedule carries him onward, with The Guardian reporting the Dubuque rally is part of a final push that includes a stop in Kansas before Tuesday's voting.
Trade and tariffs take center stage for rural voters
The Canada message lands squarely with the audience Trump came to court. Rural Iowa has felt the squeeze from trade disruptions, and the promise of tariff-free access to a top export market speaks directly to farm households worried about input costs and commodity prices.
Whether the announcement moves votes on Tuesday remains to be seen, but the timing is no accident. Iowa's rural counties have long been the backbone of Republican margins in the state, and both parties know turnout there could decide close races up and down the ballot.
Frequently asked questions
What did Trump say about Canada tariffs in Iowa?
Speaking to reporters in Dubuque on Sunday, Trump said a new agreement with Canada eliminates tariffs on American farm products, which he said had run as high as 400% on some milk goods.
Why was Trump in Dubuque?
He headlined a campaign rally for Iowa Republicans, including Rep. Ashley Hinson, ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections.
Who is Ashley Hinson?
Hinson is the Republican congresswoman representing northeast Iowa, whose district includes Dubuque, and she is seeking another term in this year's midterms.