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Optimism abounded and the word “tariff” was scarce as Eastern Iowa business leaders heaped effusive praise on President Donald Trump’s top small business official.

U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, who is in Iowa for the first time, participated Monday in a small business roundtable discussion with business leaders and Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.

The business leaders — who came from banking, manufacturing, highway contracting, printing, and service — heaped praise on the federal officials for their support of Republicans’ tax and spending policy that was signed into law on July 4.

The Iowa busin

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