Chair Meng, Congressman Goldman, Assemblymember Lee Host Press Conference Condemning Trump's Disastrous Tariff War, Highlighting Devastating Impact on AAPI New Yorkers and Small Businesses

China Imposes 125% Tariffs on U.S. Goods in Response to 145%
U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Imports Trump Trade War Disproportionately Impacting Asian American Communities and Families
NYC, Home of Many Historic Asian American Communities, Pays Price For Trump’s Recklessness

View Pictures and Video of Press Conference Here 

New York, NY – Today, Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), Executive Member of CAPAC, Assembly Member Grace Lee, Chair of the New York State Assembly Asian Pacific American Task Force (APA Task Force), Council Member Susan Zhuang, and other elected officials and local advocates, hosted a press conference to demand President Trump stop his ongoing trade war which will harm Asian American families and businesses in New York. 

The President’s tariffs are pushing many Asian American-owned small businesses in New York City toward financial ruin, especially those dependent on foreign imports. The trade war, driven by the White House, threatens to devastate historic Asian American neighborhoods. These reckless policies are creating economic volatility and disproportionately affecting businesses reliant on international trade. As a result, many small businesses are uncertain about their future, placing a significant financial strain on Asian American families and entrepreneurs across the city.

Congresswoman Meng said, “As the new Chair of CAPAC, I’m proud to partner with New York State APA Task Force Chair Grace Lee, and my colleague Congressman Goldman to shine a light on the harm that this trade war will have on the Asian American community, in particular Asian-owned small businesses. These tariffs will deliver devastating blows to everybody from our local entrepreneurs to owners of mom-and-pop establishments, with many being forced to pass higher costs onto their customers or suffer financial hits to their livelihoods. Those working to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic will be hit especially hard. It will also impact jobs and investments in our neighborhoods. We will continue pushing for these tariffs to be rescinded.”

“From Manhattan’s Chinatown to Sunset Park and beyond, Donald Trump’s reckless and destructive trade war is crippling New York’s AAPI small businesses and pushing entire communities to the brink of financial ruin,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Mom-and-pop shops are struggling to make ends meet. Livelihoods are on the line. If Trump doesn’t reverse these tariffs immediately, his dangerous brinkmanship will shutter AAPI small businesses not only in New York City but across the country.” 

Assemblymember Grace Lee said, “Trump’s reckless tariff policies are driving up costs for small businesses and raising prices for everyday people. In Chinatown, family-run shops that have been part of the community for generations are struggling to survive. And when hostility toward China drives policy, it too often leads to racism against the Asian American community. These policies aren’t just bad economics — they’re bad for Asian Americans.”

NY State Senator John Liu said, "Trump’s punitive tariff charade is causing irreparable harm to immigrant communities and small businesses throughout the country, and especially here in New York City. In their pursuit of the American Dream, Asian American small businesses have revitalized our economy and strengthened our communities, but now their livelihoods are on the line as they’re forced to either absorb skyrocketing costs or pass them onto their customers, who are already struggling. It's time to end this zero sum trade war that is threatening to stall so many economic engines for our city, state and country." 

Council Member Susan Zhuang said, “As the Councilmember for Brooklyn’s District 43, a majority Asian-American district, I see the direct impact of all federal changes on my constituents. I regularly say immigrant business owners provide essential services for New Yorkers. These tariffs hinder these business owners from doing their work which will put a burden on every single working class New Yorker.” 

Council Member Sandra Ung said, "Just recently hit hard by COVID-19, a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, inflation, and rising rents, the economic recovery remains fragile. Many immigrant-owned small businesses that rely heavily on international trade are still struggling to get back on their feet. Moreover, many budget grocery stores provide a vital lifeline for working-class families. The potential shocks to the market these tariffs will cause follow on the heels of recent cuts by Washington Republicans to the SNAP program that prevent stolen funds from being replaced. We need clear and compassionate federal guidance and targeted local support to protect these businesses from further setbacks and to ensure the economic recovery in our Asian American communities stays on track."

Council Member Julie Won said, “Federal tariffs threaten the livelihoods of Asian-owned small businesses in District 26. High import fees will force Bangladeshi, Filipino, and Chinese business owners to pay more to purchase goods. Tariffs also hurt working-class New Yorkers who already struggle to pay for rent, groceries, and other necessities. I join my colleagues in Congress and the Assembly to urge Trump to reverse these harmful tariffs.”

Karen Liu, second generation owner of Grand Tea and Imports said, “Almost every business in Chinatown is an import business in some way. These tariffs threaten our ability to restock—and for many of our neighbors, their ability to stay open. As we move through this uncertain time, I hope policymakers remember Chinatown. We shouldn’t have to face this alone.”

All have made protecting and supporting small businesses, as well as the Asian American community, a priority of their time in office.

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