In Indianapolis, with largest U.S. Burmese population, tariffs and travel ban hit hard [View all]
Source: NBC News
June 22, 2025, 7:00 AM EDT
In Indianapolis, Than Hre, the Burmese-born owner of Chin Brothers Restaurant & Grocery, stands behind his counter tallying receipts that tell the story of a business under pressure.
Over the past year, he says, the profit margin for his restaurant and grocery business has dropped from around 35% to about 10% as tariffs and shipping costs have driven up the price of rice and Burmese staples by as much as 40%.
The same is true for numerous other businesses in Indianapolis, the city with the largest Burmese community in the United States, at 30,000 people, according to the Burmese American Community Institute.
Tariffs on importing Myanmar goods have risen to 45%, driving up the cost of staples like rice and spices and creating significant challenges for Burmese businesses across the United States. “It’s hard because we cannot increase the prices, yet if we do, we’re going to lose customers,” said Hre, 48.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/indianapolis-largest-us-burmese-population-tariffs-travel-ban-hit-hard-rcna213803
I believe Alex Wagner's (MSNBC) mother is Burmese.
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