Prof. Aseem Prakash was interviewed by the The Daily for his views on the recent tariffs and their impact.
Despite a 90-day suspension, President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs significantly impact supply chains and product prices. Although recently paused, Trump’s 145% tariff on Chinese imports still decreased imports. May 7 marked the first day since the pandemic in which there were zero container ships in the Port of Seattle.
Although some products Asian grocers import can be produced domestically, Asian grocers offer an alternative; one that may no longer be financially feasible. Additionally, for certain specialty goods, importing remains the only option.
“[Asian food products] are not like manufacturing cars, where you can move the production from abroad to the Midwest.” Prakash said. “Products are sourced from abroad because they are very location specific — if you would like a particular kind of frozen fish that's coming from China, then it can only come from China and it can't come from anywhere else.”
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