January 2026: Harding Praised The Trump Administration For “Cooling Inflation, Falling Interest Rates, And Declining Energy Prices.” According to a Brinker Harding opinion in Omaha World-Herald, “Under Republican leadership, inflation has dropped from a 40-year high of 9.1% under Joe Biden to 2.7% today, and interest rates are expected to continue to drop further. Thanks to this administration's focus on peace abroad and energy production at home, gas prices have fallen from a record high $5.11 per gallon under Biden to $2.85 per gallon today. With lower taxes, cooling inflation, falling interest rates, and declining energy prices, America's economy is growing at its fastest rate in two years, raising wages and creating jobs in the process.” [Brinker Harding Op-Ed – Omaha World-Herald, 1/23/26]
November 2025: Harding Defended Trump’s Economic Policies And Said Moves Trump Made Would Get The Economy To A Better Place By The Midterms. According to NBC News, "Brinker Harding is a Republican city councilman in Omaha running to replace Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who is not seeking re-election in one of the most up-for-grab seats in the country. Harding said he believes that once the midterm campaigns really begin, moves Trump has made will have the economy in a better place. ‘Come next November, Republicans’ tax cuts for working families and small businesses, in addition to projected interest rate cuts, will have the American economy moving more than it already is,’ he said." [NBC, 11/3/25]
April 2026: Harding Praised Trump’s Economic Policies, Saying He Looked Forward To Working With Trump To “Make Life More Affordable” And That Trump Was “Bringing American Strength Back To The World Stage.” According to Brinker Harding’s Twitter, “Thank You, President @realDonaldTrump — I am honored to earn your endorsement! Under President Trump's leadership, Republicans have delivered historic tax relief for families — including no tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security. This tax season, Americans are seeing record refunds as a result. President Trump is also keeping our communities safe by protecting our border and driving the murder rate to its lowest since 1900 — while bringing American strength back to the world stage. I look forward to working with you to Make Life More Affordable and Government More Accountable. 🇺🇸” [Twitter, @BrinkerHarding, 4/14/26]
Trump’s “America First” Trade Policy Was Centered On Punitive Tariffs. According to CNBC, "Those deals and negotiations come after a year of U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ trade and foreign policy in his second term in office, which has seen the White House hit friends and foes alike with punitive trade tariffs, and even territorial threats, as it asserts its economic and geopolitical dominance." [CNBC, 1/31/26]
Nebraska Importers Were Forced To Pay More Than $480 Million In Tariffs And Many Businesses Ended Up Cutting Staff Or Closing. According to Nebraska Public Media, "We Pay the Tariffs, an organized group of small-business owners across the country, estimates Nebraska importers paid more than $480 million in tariffs from spring 2025 through spring this year. ‘Unfortunately, there’s a lot of families that are hurting right now,’ said Angie Lauritsen, director of Nebraskans for Us, a nonprofit focused on economic policy. ‘Nebraska businesses over the last year… many had to decrease staff. They had to let people go. They ended up closing.’" [Nebraska Public Media, 4/28/26]
HEADLINE: From Chocolate To Farm Equipment, Trump’s Tariffs Are 'Pain Points' For Nebraska Manufacturers. [KCUR, 2/4/26]
Giltner Manufacturer That Made Equipment For Corn, Hemp, And Sorghum Farms Said They Were Hit Hard By Tariffs And 2026 Prices For Some Product Components Rose 75-80 Percent. According to KCUR, "That’s the case for Bish Enterprises in Giltner, which makes specialized equipment for corn, hemp and sorghum farms around the country. Its machines weigh tons and require a variety of components to make. Andrew Bish, chief operating officer of his family business, said the first year of the Trump administration’s tariffs hit hard. ‘It’s been challenging for us on costs and then trying to figure out how we absorb some of that and what we have to pass on,’ Bish said. Based in Giltner, Bish Enterprises buys U.S. steel, but relies on electronic and hydraulic components from Germany, China and other countries. Under Trump, every trading partner is subject to tariffs, with rates that vary depending on the country and the product. Bish said 2026 prices for some components of his company’s products are up 75% to 80% over this time last year, so the company is evaluating how to keep costs down. ‘One of the ways that we’re actually trying to do that is through some of our engineering,’ he said. ‘This is not a question I would have even evaluated three years ago, but are we using too much steel in this product? Is there somewhere where we can take out weight? Not because we need a weight savings, but we need cost savings.’" [KCUR, 2/24/26]
Lincoln Chocolate Business Said They Faced Increased Costs Because Of Tariffs. According to KCUR, "The Chocolate Season in Lincoln occupies a much smaller corner of Nebraska’s manufacturing section. The family-owned business makes chocolate delicacies by hand: Picture bon bons, truffles and Midwestern fudge with a European flair. The Chocolate Season imports ingredients from a vendor in France, which is part of the European Union. The Trump tariff rate on imports from the EU is 15%. ‘Tariffs have definitely increased our costs,’ said owner Erika Jensen. But, she said, with a limit to how much local customers are willing to pay for chocolate, passing costs along to customers is not an option. Erika Jensen is the owner of The Chocolate Season in Lincoln. ‘With chocolate, there is a very well-known glass ceiling. Even though we ship nationwide, we still have a lot of walk-in traffic. Lincoln, Nebraska, doesn’t understand the cost of something so small.’" [KCUR, 2/24/26]
HEADLINE: “Tariffs Harming Farms, Businesses And Budgets.” [Nebraska Examiner, 4/19/25]
Lincoln Journal Star: “Nebraska Farmers And Ranchers Across The State Derive Approximately 30% Of Their Annual Income From Global Trade Particularly In $3.5 Billion In Export Deals With Canada, Mexico And China.” According to Lincoln Journal Star, “Nebraska farmers and ranchers across the state derive approximately 30% of their annual income from global trade particularly in $3.5 billion in export deals with Canada, Mexico and China. Together, those three countries in 2024 purchased 95% of Nebraska's corn exports, 90% of soybean exports, 57% of soybean meal exports, 32% of pork exports and 23% of beef exports, the Farm Bureau reported. Mexico remains a top customer for Nebraska soybeans ($317 million last year), corn ($284 million) and soybean meal ($179 million), while Canada purchased $319 million in Nebraska agricultural products in 2023” [Lincoln Journal Star, 2/4/25]
Nebraska’s Manufacturing Exports Declined 12.6 Percent In The First Nine Months Of 2025 Compared To The Same Period In 2024. According to KCUR, "Nebraskans make things: Basketball hoops, farm equipment, artificial limbs and bullets are among the thousands of products that comprise the state’s manufacturing sector. Right now, manufacturers are in pain. ‘The tariffs are hurting,’ said Ernie Goss, the Creighton University economist behind the monthly Mid-American Economy Report, which covers Nebraska and eight other states. ‘Why are they hurting? It’s because the trading partners have retaliated.’ For example, Goss said, China stopped buying goods coming from the U.S., ‘and that was telegraphed right back to the Nebraska economy.’ Manufacturing accounts for about 12% of the state’s total economic output and about 10% of Nebraska jobs. According to Goss, Nebraska’s manufacturing exports declined 12.6% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. He said it’s costing companies more to import the materials, ingredients and components they need to make their products." [KCUR, 2/24/26]
HEADLINE: "Tariff Trouble? Nebraska Companies, Farmers Trapped In Middle Of Brewing Trade War" [Flatwater Free Press, 3/5/25]
HEADLINE: "Nebraska Farmers Brace For Harvest As Tariffs And Low Prices Hit Hard" [Local 4, 9/15/25]
HEADLINE: "Industry Leaders Wary As Trump Tariffs Package Puts Pinch On Nebraska Farmers" [KETV, 8/8/25]
HEADLINE: "Inflation And Tariff Pressures Reach From Farm To City" [Omaha Magazine, 1/15/26]