Long Island grocers specializing in imported goods worry about prospect of tariffs
Ysa Weller, left, and her daughter Kate Gladyshev, co-owners of Asian One Best Grocery in Ronkonkoma, in their store last week. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
The last five years have brought the world to Long Islanders’ dinner plates. Grocery stores specializing in West African, Japanese, South Asian and Hispanic foods have opened across the region, joining stores that have served the area for decades.
But for many of these small businesses whose shelves are filled with imported rice, olive oil and tea, President Donald Trump’s tariffs have increased uncertainty. In recent days, the administration announced, then delayed double-digit “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries and imposed a 10% baseline tariff on imports from most of the globe. China's goods will now be taxed at 145%.
Supermarket chains may navigate this new trade era by absorbing some of the tariff cost, warehousing products or shifting supply chains. But Long Island’s smaller independent markets may not have those options.
Nicholas Spangler is a general assignment reporter and has worked at Newsday since 2010.
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