CAPAC Denounces President Trump’s Reckless Tariffs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Rep. Grace Meng released the following statement today in response to President Trump’s reckless tariffs:

“When used strategically, tariffs can be powerful tools that protect jobs, increase U.S. manufacturing, and support domestic industries — but there is neither a plan nor strategy behind President Trump’s trade wars that will raise prices, kill jobs, and hurt small businesses. 

“Trump’s reckless tariffs will be especially felt by Asian American small businesses that import agricultural goods, cultural products, and traditional medicine sourced from specific geographical regions. These across-the-board tariffs are a death knell for the mom-and-pop stores that operate on thin margins, and will harm working people and seniors living on fixed incomes.

“President Trump promised to lower costs, but his political stunts do the complete opposite. He is responsible for single handedly raising prices, wiping out retirement accounts, and making life harder for families struggling to get by. No president has ever owned an economic catastrophe quite like this.”

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Founded in 1994, the bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is composed of 79 members of Congress who advocate on behalf of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The Caucus is led by Congresswoman Grace Meng, who was elected CAPAC Chair in 2024.