RESOLUTION NO. 250424
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Sponsor: Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw
RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to conduct a review of federal tariff impacts, import and export activity, and related challenges affecting Kansas City businesses; identifying certain stakeholders to consult and outlining the purposes of public feedback; further directing the City Manager to convene a Kansas City Trade and Economic Resilience Summit within 90 days; and directing the City Manager to provide a report and policy recommendations to the City Council within 6 months.
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WHEREAS, Kansas City is a vital hub of commerce, logistics, and manufacturing in the Midwest with a strategic central location that supports robust domestic and international trade; and
WHEREAS, fluctuations in international tariffs, trade regulations, and supply chain logistics can significantly impact the competitiveness and viability of businesses in the Kansas City region; and
WHEREAS, businesses across the Kansas City region-large and small, and across industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and technology-face ongoing challenges related to changing trade dynamics, rising costs, and shifting market access that threaten economic stability and growth; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive and data-driven understanding of how tariffs, imports, exports, and global trade challenges affect local industries is essential for effective policy development and economic strategy; and
WHEREAS, collaboration between the public sector, private industry, labor, academic institutions, and trade experts is necessary to develop actionable recommendations that support Kansas City’s continued economic strength and resilience; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That the City Manager is directed to conduct a comprehensive review of federal tariff impacts, import and export activity, and related challenges affecting Kansas City businesses by examining the following:
• Current import and export activity in the Kansas City region;
• The effects of federal tariffs and international trade policies on Kansas City businesses;
• Supply chain vulnerabilities and opportunities for regional self-sufficiency; and
• Sector-specific challenges and opportunities in industries most impacted by trade policy, including but not limited to manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and technology.
Section 2. That the City Manager shall engage the following key community stakeholders and solicit their input regarding the considerations outlined in Section 1 of this Resolution:
• The KC Economic Development Corporation;
• The KC Area Development Council;
• The Port Authority of Kansas City;
• The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce;
• NASCO (North American Strategy for Competitiveness);
• Representatives from Kansas City businesses, both large and small, across diverse industries impacted by trade policy;
• Organized labor representatives;
• Academic experts in international trade and economics; and
• Additional stakeholders as determined by the Mayor or Council.
Section 3. That the City Manager shall solicit stakeholder input and receive public feedback for the purpose of:
• Analyzing trade data and economic indicators applicable to Kansas City businesses;
• Identifying barriers and opportunities for increasing Kansas City’s competitiveness in global markets; and
• Developing a report with findings and recommendations for city, regional, state, and federal policymakers.
Section 4. That the City Manager is hereby directed to convene a Kansas City Trade and Economic Resilience Summit (the “Summit”) within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution. The Summit shall bring together key stakeholders-including business owners, trade experts, labor leaders, economic development officials, and industry representatives-to:
• Survey and assess the potential and actual impacts of tariffs and trade policies on businesses in the Kansas City region; and
• Identify immediate concerns and long-term strategies to improve trade resilience and economic stability in Kansas City.
Section 5. That the City Manager shall prepare a comprehensive report and provide policy recommendations regarding ways by which the City may improve trade resilience and economic stability in the City, informed by engagement with key stakeholders and the Summit, to the City Council within six (6) months of the adoption of this resolution.
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