U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

An industry insider warned that the U.S. government's tariff policy will pose significant challenges to the tea market in the United States, highlighting concerns about rising costs for importers and the potential for decreased consumer demand due to higher prices.

Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called reciprocal tariffs, imposing a 10-percent minimum baseline tariff and higher rates on certain trading partners.

During an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Peter Gangi, chairman of the Tea Association of the USA, emphasized that the United States ranks as the world's third-largest tea importer.

While U.S. tea imports have generally trended upward in recent years, impending tariff policy changes are anticipated to drive tea prices higher, potentially dampening sales volumes. "Consumers are price sensitive and if importers and packers are required to raise the price because of the tariffs, then the consumer may look at it and say, well, I'm not sure this presents the value. So, [there are] still some questions involved. But clearly tariffs don't lower prices. Tariffs will raise prices, generally speaking," Gangi said.

He noted that for small and medium-sized enterprises relying on imported tea, balancing costs and market demand will be a major challenge in the near future. Some of these enterprises have already begun adjusting their formulas and stockpiling goods to mitigate the impact of tariffs.

The Tea Association of the USA has also sent letters to relevant institutions, urging the government to carefully consider the unique characteristics of the tea industry and the interests of consumers when formulating trade policies.

"We've written letters to various agencies, we've written to the U.S. Trade representative, we've written to the government, etc. But we are such a small part of total imports into the U.S. that our voice tends to get lost. So, the only response we have is to encourage our members to write to their representatives and write to the government agencies themselves. One doesn't get replies from the government generally speaking, other than a thank you for sending your note," Gangi said.

U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

Myanmar's new President U Min Aung Hlaing met Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's capital, on Saturday.

Noting that Myanmar consistently regards its relationship with China as the most important bilateral tie, U Min Aung Hlaing emphasized that Myanmar stays committed to the one-China principle and highly appreciates and actively supports the China-proposed four global initiatives.

The new Myanmar government expects to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, advance the construction of the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, and work together to maintain border peace and stability, while continuously deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, the president said.

Myanmar will never allow any activities that harm China's interests within its borders, and will continue to intensify its crackdown on online gambling and telecom fraud and take concrete measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Myanmar, he added.

For his part, Wang stressed that China's policy toward Myanmar remains consistent. China firmly supports Myanmar in following a successful development path that suits its national conditions and is supported by its people; firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity; and firmly supports Myanmar in achieving national peace, reconciliation and social harmony, he said.

Wang also noted that building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future perfectly aligns with the development and revitalization needs of both countries and serves the fundamental interests of both peoples, urging both sides to unswervingly follow this path.

China is willing to cooperate with Myanmar to resolutely and thoroughly eradicate online gambling and telecom fraud, he noted. China will also support Myanmar's participation in more dialogue and cooperation mechanisms and the enhancement of its interaction with ASEAN, Wang added.

Myanmar president meets Chinese FM

Myanmar president meets Chinese FM