New York's Food and Fashion Industries Scramble Amid Trump Tariffs, Bar Owners Brace for Price Surges

As the ripple effects of Trump's tariffs on foreign goods permeate New York's industries, the reactions range from preemptive stocking to frantic menu restructuring. The food and fashion sectors of the Tri-State area, two industries deeply woven into the fabric of NYC's economy, are dealing with the fallout. Gary Wassner, CEO of Hilldun Corporation, stressed the volatility of incorporating tariffs into the strictly scheduled fashion industry. "You show in February, you show in September. You have sold it to the retailers in February, and you're not delivering it until August. So, your prices are fixed. You can't go back now and go back to your retailer and tell them you need to charge more because of tariffs," Wassner told ABC7NY.

Meanwhile, Nobu Yamanashi, of Yama Seafood in Jersey City, is mulling over the hit to margins with partners in Japan, maintaining that the 24% cannot be absorbed alone. In the wake of the tariffs, restaurant owners like Helen Nguyen of Saigon Social are stockpiling ingredients with 90% of their spices sourced from abroad. Saigon Social's owner and chef, witnessing a storm brew in the kitchen, said, "Internally, there’s rollercoasters and tornados happening," according to an ABC7NY interview.

Bar owners across NYC echo these anxieties. With a 25% tariff on all beer imports that's already in effect, bar owners anticipate a surge in prices. John Roberts, owner of Bushwick Country Club, articulated a sentiment for stasis: "I’m hoping that all of this will go away and level heads will prevail, cause this just seems like shooting us in the foot for no reason," he told Gothamist. Roberts added.

With alcohol the tariffs' complexities are laid bare, as local breweries may face financial burdens not only because of the beer itself but due to increased packaging costs, Bart Watson, president and CEO of the Brewers Association, highlighted. Shanna Nasiri of With Others wine bar in Williamsburg stated, “The biggest impact will be on our more affordable bottles — especially the ones we love to pour by the glass — since a 20% increase on a $16-$20 wine is much more significant than on something higher-end," she explained to Gothamist. This comes as businesses are still reeling from pandemic challenges, painting a precarious picture of resilience amid uncertainty.

In this turbulent time, some have made maneuvers to mitigate the effects of the tariffs. Owner Russell Steinberg of Cecilia on St. Marks Place secured a popular French rosé, striking a deal to store it offsite. "So that was one evasive maneuver," he succinctly stated on the ways he's navigating the situation, as recounted by Gothamist. Zachary Mack of Alphabet City Beer Company projected that a couple of bad months following the tariffs could mean the difference between survival and closure.