Trump's tariff policy for 2025 sparks a buying frenzy across the US, and Thai restaurants are facing high cost pressures.

On April 2, 2025, President Trump of the United States announced a baseline tariff of 10% on all imported goods and imposed a maximum punitive tariff of 104% on countries such as China, resulting in a buying frenzy among American consumers. Prices of food, appliances, and clothing are expected to increase by 10% to 30%, and Thai restaurants are facing a 36% tariff pressure due to imported ingredients. This policy has caused market uncertainty, an increase in import costs for businesses, increased consumer spending, and sparked controversy over the formula used to calculate the policy.

Nationwide Buying Frenzy: Americans Stockpile Goods in Response to Price Hikes

"I was wondering why the shelves were so empty, what's going on, is there a hurricane?" a shopper at a U.S. supermarket remarked to the media. This is not a natural disaster, but a direct reaction to the Trump administration's announcement of a new round of tariff policies. According to Newsbreak, many Americans are worried that the prices of imported goods will soon skyrocket, leading them to rush to stores to stock up on essentials and groceries.

Thomas Jennings, 53, was pushing a shopping cart filled with juice, condiments, canned goods, and flour at Walmart. He said, "I'm buying everything in pairs now." Another retiree, Angelo Barrio, purchased 20 bottles of olive oil and large amounts of rice, sugar, toothpaste, and bottled water at Costco in a single trip. He said, "It's not that I'm afraid I won't be able to buy it, I'm afraid I won't be able to afford it in the future."

This buying frenzy is not limited to local Americans; Chinese traditional medicine doctors living in the U.S. have also joined the stockpiling trend, purchasing 20 bottles of soy sauce and 10 bottles of oyster sauce at once. According to EBC News, these actions reflect the public's high uncertainty about future prices.

Tariffs Impact Food and Daily Necessities Prices

According to Fox5 DC, supermarket expert Phil Lampert noted that the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on many countries worldwide will increase U.S. food prices by 10% to 30%, with specific increases depending on the product category and import source. The U.S. heavily relies on imported fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and food ingredients, all of which now face tariff pressure.

Yahoo News further pointed out that garlic, apple juice, and cooking oil from China, avocados, strawberries, and tomatoes from Mexico, and pork, beef, and canned foods from Canada are all on the tariff list. European imports of wine, olive oil, and cheese will also face tariffs of up to 20%.

In addition, daily necessities such as tea, coffee, frozen fruits, and snacks are no exception. According to estimates by Yale University economists, these tariffs will increase the average annual expenditure of American households by $3,800.

Thai Restaurants Hit First: Raw Material Costs Soar

Pitsanu Setapayak, who operates a Thai restaurant in the U.S., said that 80% of his restaurant's ingredients come from Thailand, including fish sauce, coconut milk, lemongrass, and Thai rice. According to EBC News, these ingredients will face tariffs of up to 36% in the future, putting heavy pressure on restaurant operations.

"If tariffs go up that much, product prices will also become more expensive, but you still have to use them, which will have a big impact on the restaurant," Setapayak said. He admitted that to maintain the quality and authentic flavor of the dishes, he cannot easily change the source of ingredients and is forced to absorb the costs or raise menu prices.

This situation is not unique. According to Fox5 DC, all food-related industries, including supermarkets, restaurants, schools, and hospitals, will be affected by tariffs. From fast-food chains to high-end restaurants, none are spared.

Retail and Manufacturing Under Pressure

In addition to the food and catering industry, retail items like clothing and home appliances are also under price pressure. According to Yahoo News, major retailers like Nike, Gap, and Walmart have warned that the prices of clothing and footwear from China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh will rise by 10% to 30%. Electronics, toys, kitchenware, and home appliances are also on the tariff list.

The TODAY show pointed out that the increase in corporate import costs will be directly passed on to consumers, and unless the U.S. can quickly establish alternative supply chains, price increases are unavoidable in the short term.

Tariff Formula Controversy and Policy Uncertainty

Although the Trump administration insists that tariffs are "a cure for the U.S. economy," according to Fortune, a conservative think tank highlighted that the tariff calculation formula used by Trump relies on incorrect variables, leading to an overestimation of the tax rate. The think tank criticized the entire policy as "manipulated."

In addition, Yahoo Finance reported that Trump has announced a 104% tariff on Chinese goods and threatened to impose an additional 50% if China does not withdraw its retaliatory tariffs. This has left the market full of uncertainty about future policy directions, causing significant stock market volatility.

References

• Trump’s tariff formula ‘was rigged’ to get higher rates— and it used the wrong value for one of its variables, conservative think tank says
• Grocery prices will rise as much as 30% due to tariffs, expert says
• Tariffs and your wallet: What Americans can expect if prices begin to rise
• US consumers stockpile goods ahead of Trump’s new tariffs: ‘Preparing for the worst’ - NewsBreak
• Inside the true financial impact of Trump's tariffs on everyday goods
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