New American rates, in particular on Chinese import such as soy sauce, drive the costs at specialty stores, which increases the fear that smaller importers can be under pressure for their ability to maintain safety standards.
Surprise policy shifts have added uncertainty to the trading landscape.
On April 9, 2025, the Trump government pampered its steep “reciprocal” rates for countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines for 90 days, leaving a basic line of 10 percent over the most import of these nations. Rates for Chinese goods, including popular soy sauce brands,, however, rose to 125 percent, intensification prints. The administration says that the rates tackle a trade deficit of more than $ 1 trillion per year, but the break indicates possible negotiations, so that the future remains unclear. With China’s retribution rates now at 84 percent on American goods such as soybeans, global supply chains for products based on soy are confronted with further tension.
The tariff increases, especially on China, cause the fear of price increases for culturally important foods that depend on immigrant communities and fans of ethnic kitchens. Although the 90-day break offers temporary lighting for some imports, economists warn that costs for staples such as rice, fish and sauces can still climb if the rates resume or persist delivery.
Rising costs, persistent risks
The Food and Drug Administration and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have long noticed gaps in import supervision, and the tariff pressure could worsen the risks for niche markets. With China with a rate of 125% and others a basic line of 10%, smaller importers can have difficulty offering robust safety controls, in particular for fermented sauces such as soy sauce and Gochujang, which require strict handling to prevent contamination.
The FDA inspects only 1 to 2 percent of the imported goods annually, according to a GAO report from 2023. A 2022 study in the Journal of Food Protection Discovered that incorrectly wrapped import Bacillus can accommodate Cereus, a bacterium that causes food poisoning. Although the tariff break for some countries could relieve immediate tension, the high Chinese rates and continuous supervisory hiases keep concern about safety alive.
Regulatory obstacles
Regulators face challenges when closing the safety locations. The budget of the FDA 2023 import inspection budget of $ 216 million has not kept pace with the rising trade volume, according to the GAO, as a result of which smaller importers – who miss the safety programs of large companies – insufficiently. No exemptions for cultural vital foods have been proposed and the 90-day break does not respond to long-term financing needs for better supervision.
Consumers can reduce risks by checking labels on details of the country of origin and prioritize certifications such as USDA Organic or ISO 22000, although they are not watertight.
Uncertain view
The path of the rates remains cloudy. The rate of 125 percent on China and 84 percent retaliation signal signal are a deepening of trade war, in which economists predict higher prices for fermented sauces, herbs and more. The 90-day break for other Asian countries offers a delay, but without clarity about extensions or negotiations, small grocers and their customers are confronted with continuous tension, with cultural diets balanced with safety and affordability. While supervisors and players from the industry look at the next step of the administration, the deployment remains high to keep special food accessible and safe.
(To register for a free subscription to Food Safety News, Click here.)