CHAIR MENG QUESTIONS COMMERCE SECRETARY ABOUT TARIFFS DEVASTATING ASIAN AMERICAN BUSINESSES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) questioned the United States Commerce Secretary about the skyrocketing costs of goods that have been devastating Asian American businesses since President Trump took office.

During a hearing held by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science – of which Meng is the top Democrat – the Congresswoman demanded Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was testifying about his agency’s annual budget request, explain what the administration is doing to reduce these increased costs that have been caused by the President’s tariffs.

The exchange between Meng and Lutnick can be viewed here.

During the hearing, Meng said to the Secretary: “You know I have heard from many Asian American business owners, they own restaurants, they own supermarkets, they own well-known supermarkets like 99 Ranch and H Mart. They are really concerned about the rising costs of goods, like anything from basmati rice to the burdock root, to different sauces that are utilized by the Asian American Community, the fastest growing community in this country. I know that you mentioned that due to the tariffs, the prices will eventually come back down. But I just wanted to make an observation that the cost of living for Americans as we know is already high, and it's hard for them to be able to afford these goods and these products that they are using today, and the restaurant owners, the supermarket owners, small business owners are really in a bind because they don't know if they have to raise their prices and pass on the higher costs to consumers or to eat the costs themselves. And coming out of a pandemic where they barely survived, they are now worried that because of these high costs, their businesses may not survive. So, I just wanted to highlight this issue that's happening in my district and I'm sure in many other districts across the country about a lot of these products that are largely not produced here in the United States…When my constituents, you know just average individual consumers or small business owners are asking me when the prices will come back down, prices that have gone up only in recent months after this new Trump administration, what can we tell our constituents?”

In a statement after the hearing, Meng said: “Since the President moved forward with his ill-conceived tariffs, Asian American businesses have been forced to shell out more money to purchase their products, and this spike in prices is putting a financial strain on all types of establishments from our Asian supermarkets to local entrepreneurs and Asian-owned mom-and-pop businesses. These businesses already operate on razor-thin margins. Many businesses are struggling with being forced to pass the higher costs onto their customers or take financial hits by absorbing the increases, negatively impacting jobs, consumers and the economy. Unfortunately, Secretary Lutnick provided no substantive answers on how he and the administration are working to bring prices down, and this lack of any specifics is tremendously disappointing and totally unacceptable. Small businesses in Queens and across the nation are hurting. They need help and we will keep up the pressure until the administration comes up with a serious plan to provide relief.”

The Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee determines funding for the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice and federal science programs.