Recently, our reporters visited three Chinese supermarkets in Flushing and found that people were shopping as usual without any phenomenon of panic buying Chinese products.
At New Long Hing Supermarket, the manager stated that as long as wholesalers do not raise prices, they will not raise prices either. However, if Trump’s tariff policy continues, it is “100% certain” that Chinese products will increase in price.
At Sky Food supermarket inside Sky View Shopping Center, there were not many customers, and each shopping cart was filled with only a few items. The salesperson mentioned, “There is no panic buying here, everything is normal.”
In the bustling Flushing central area, New Long Hing Supermarket had a high flow of customers, and Chinese products, including instant noodles, were not out of stock. The manager, Mr. Zhang, told reporters that there was no panic buying or price increases in their supermarket.
“We are operating normally, no shortage of goods, and no price hikes. We simply follow the wholesalers; if they raise prices, we will naturally do the same,” Mr. Zhang said. “In the future, it is uncertain whether Trump’s tariffs on China will continue. If tariffs are imposed, Chinese product prices will definitely increase, 100% guaranteed.”
However, Mr. Zhang mentioned, “If Chinese products become expensive, importers can buy from Taiwan, Hong Kong, as they are the same products. Consumers’ market behavior is like this: if your product is too expensive, I won’t buy it; just like with the shortage of eggs before, people bought in limited quantities; if it’s too expensive, people won’t consume it.”
Mr. Zhang expressed concerns about Trump’s “Made in America” initiative, fearing that production might not keep up due to the limited productivity of the American population. He believed that Trump’s tariff war may have two purposes: to pressure the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates and to target China.
“When his goal is achieved, the tariffs will come down,” Mr. Zhang said. “International relations are like playing house for children, fighting and making up again.”
A Hispanic-American customer named Diego, who was buying instant noodles at New Long Hing Supermarket, told reporters that he doesn’t care much about tariffs. “I don’t care, I live normally, I love America, and I support the president’s tariff policy.”
Another major supermarket, New World Supermarket, appeared quieter than the previous two stores, with many refrigerators and shelves empty. The staff explained that this was not due to panic buying but because cables were damaged by a recent fire, and the refrigeration and frozen sections were under repair.
However, staff members noticed that there had been an increase in the purchase of frozen dumplings, buns, and flour recently.