Local Latin markets concerned about possible tariffs

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- President Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada are on a 30-day hold, but local Latin markets fear what could happen if they are placed.

“We're worried, worried because they are going to raise a lot of the cost of products. Like the avocados, everything that comes from Mexico. Several things come from Mexico. Guavas, avocados, tomatoes, lemons. Everything that comes from Mexico,” said Employee of Panaderia Y Supermercado San Miguel, Felipe Garcia Morcho.

Morcho explained his store gets 70-percent of its goods from Mexico, meaning a 25 percent tariff would increase prices to common produce and other items. That may make customers cut back on quantity or stop shopping at these markets all together.

"Sales are going to go down, I think sales are going to go down a lot. Like right now, with all this migration stuff. It's quiet, at this hour, weeks ago it was full of people," said Morcho.

Across town at Michoacán Supermarket, the manager Jessica Rosales explained markets like these are often a reminder of home and a symbol of culture for many in the Latin community.

“It’s like important for us to just remind us of like where our culture comes from, roots from. I believe that people will still purchase items, it’s just at a lower quantity,” said Rosales.

If those tariffs take place, Rosales said it would be the customers that take the brunt of the costs.

“We have the need to also implement that 25 percent tariff onto the customer. It’s not something that we want to do, but something that we’ll have to happen just for us to be able to keep the business running, and so it’s a little worrisome,” said Rosales.