H Mart opened its new 35,660 square-foot store at American Dream. The grand opening featured customers being welcomed with a dragon and traditional dances as they entered the store. This marks H Mart's eighth store in New Jersey. This one was launched in East Rutherford, NJ on February 17, 2023. H Mart Opened Its New 35 660 Square Foot Store At American Dream The Grand Opening Featured Customers Being Welcomed With A Dragon And Traditional Dances As They Entered The Store This Marks H Mart S Eighth Store In New Jersey This One Was Launched In East Rutherford Nj On February 17 2023
Los Angeles, California – Shoppers at California’s Asian supermarkets are scrambling to stock up on imported favorites amid sweeping new U.S. tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, raising fears of price hikes on everything from soy sauce to basmati rice.
The new tariffs — which took effect Wednesday — hit products from dozens of countries, with rates as high as 104% on Chinese goods and steep levies on imports from South Korea (25%), Vietnam (47%), Cambodia (49%), India (26%), and Bangladesh (37%). The policy is part of a broader crackdown on what Trump called unfair trade practices, but it’s left loyal customers of chains like 99 Ranch Market and H Mart worried about their grocery bills.
“We’re all going to be crying in H Mart,” one TikTok user posted, referencing Michelle Zauner’s memoir, as videos of “pre-tariff hauls” flooded social media.
In Westwood, UCLA student Tony He said he’ll keep shopping at 99 Ranch even if prices rise. “As long as I need Asian food, I usually come here,” he said. But others, like Artis Chitchamnueng, fear the changes will make imported brands unaffordable. “There’s nowhere else to get what we like,” he said.
Even small, community stores are feeling the pressure. Mohammed Islam, owner of Not Just Spices in Providence, Rhode Island, said sales of rice and spices from South Asia are already slowing. “People are scared of spending any money because they don’t know what’s going to be happening,” he said.
The tariffs are likely to affect Hispanic grocers too. Trump has threatened a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico, prompting shoppers at Phoenix’s Los Altos Ranch Market to stock up on items like avocados, coconut water and mangoes.
Experts say the impact could be especially hard on low-income households. “These are regressive taxes,” said Steven Durlauf of the University of Chicago. “Affluent people don’t spend 100% of their incomes. Disadvantaged people do.”
Despite the uncertainty, some economists see a silver lining. “These enclaves — Little Italys, Chinatowns — may become more important again,” said Northwestern’s Nancy Qian. “If you want the real stuff, that’s where you’ll go.”
Until then, shoppers are bracing for change — and buying what they can, while they can.
