11 key risks from tariffs for Kansas City development

Kansas City faces major risks as it navigates both stadium development and trade uncertainty. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a STAR bonds law to lure the Chiefs and Royals, even though projects like Overland Park's Prairiefire museum show the bonds carry a "high degree of risk."

Trump-era tariffs complicate matters, already hitting businesses like Kansas City Bier Company, which now pays extra fees on Canadian-imported equipment. Kansas City's strong dependence on Canadian exports, as highlighted by a Canadian Chamber of Commerce study, adds another layer of vulnerability. Meanwhile, Senator Jerry Moran supports legislation to limit presidential power over tariffs, signaling concern about broader economic impacts.

NO. 1: THE LAST THING KANSAS AND MISSOURI NEED IS A NEW CHIEFS-ROYALS BORDER WAR | OPINION

Taylor Swift’s favorite NFL team might reignite a battle that wastes taxpayer money and doesn’t generate jobs. | Opinion | Published May 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joel Mathis

NO. 2: KANSAS PLAN TO GET CHIEFS, ROYALS RELIES ON BILLIONS IN BONDS WITH ‘HIGH DEGREE OF RISK’

“It may not be obvious but you’re going to end up paying for this and it’s not going to pay for itself,” one professor said. | Published May 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly placing the first legal sports bet in Kansas in 2022. The governor may have to decide whether to sign or veto a bill designed to attract the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to Kansas. By Rich Sugg

NO. 3: KANSAS PLAN TO DRAW CHIEFS, ROYALS IS NOW LAW AFTER GOV. KELLY SIGNS STAR BONDS BILL

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said lawmakers had “crafted a viable option for attracting professional sports teams to Kansas.” | Published June 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about a collision involving an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. By Yuri Gripas

NO. 4: TRUMP TARIFFS WOULD HAVE ‘DAMNING CONSEQUENCES’ FOR KANSAS & MISSOURI FARMS, BUSINESS | OPINION

Kansas and Missouri senators urged to stop President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs on Canada, China Mexico. | Opinion | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joel Mathis

Karlton Graham, head brewer with Kansas City Bier Company, was notified this week that the company would have to pay a tariff for equipment for its canning operation ordered from a Canadian supplier.

NO. 5: ‘MAKES YOU NERVOUS’: KANSAS CITY BREWERY HIT WITH NEW TARIFF FEE AMID TRUMP TRADE WAR

“What I’ve heard is that someday things will be much better than they are now,” Kansas City Bier Company’s head brewer said. “Well, when? How?” | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nathan Pilling

Kansas City’s Internal Revenue Service employees are preparing for as many as 1,000 layoffs this week, a sweeping cut that would significantly impact one of the metro’s largest employers. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 6: HOW FEDERALLY DEPENDENT IS MISSOURI? SEE HOW IT COMPARES TO OTHER STATES IN NEW STUDY

“For every dollar residents of the top states pay in taxes, they get several dollars back in federal funding, which often leads to higher-quality infrastructure, education, public health and more,” the analysis said. | Published March 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

NO. 7: KANSAS CITY IS ONE OF THE MOST CANADIAN EXPORT-DEPENDENT CITIES IN THE US. HERE’S WHY

A recent study by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says the KC metro area will be hit harder than most by Donald Trump’s trade war. | Published March 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

NO. 8: KANSAS SEN. JERRY MORAN QUIETLY SUPPORTS BILL TO CURB TRUMP’S TARIFF POWER | OPINION

Without any social media posts, he signed onto bipartisan legislation to give power over trade policy back to Congress. | Opinion | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joel Mathis

NO. 9: KANSAS SEN. JERRY MORAN WANTS CONGRESS TO WEIGH IN ON TRUMP TARIFFS

President Donald Trump’s tariffs have sent stocks plunging. Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran wants to reassert Congress’s authority over them. | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

A recession could complicate efforts to build new stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. By Neil Nakahodo

NO. 10: THE LOOMING ‘BIG CONCERN’ THAT COULD THREATEN CHIEFS’ & ROYALS’ STADIUM EFFORTS

As the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals weigh their futures, economic instability may make politicians and the public less likely to support generous aid packages. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman Kacen Bayless

Ethan Burger, left, and Josh Scarbrough chow down on barbecue wings while competing in the barbecue eating contest at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in the infield of Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. By Emily Curiel

NO. 11: AMERICAN ROYAL SEEKS WAY MORE STAR BOND MONEY TO REVIVE LONG-STALLED MOVE TO KCK

The American Royal wants its long-anticipated, $450 million new campus to become a hub of agricultural events in the region. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sofi Zeman

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.