This is a nicely written overview of how Yun Hai is likely to be affected by the tariffs and how you're planning for the future accordingly. (I also think it's entirely appropriate content for a newsletter. This is as good a time as any for business to explain to a wider audience how changes in trade and public policy are impacting them.)
I thought I was mentally prepared for Trump 2.0, but it's even worse than I thought. I always thought tariffs were to protect domestic industries from unfair competition. Is the tariff on all Vietnamese exports to the U.S. to protect the American "domestic cinnamon industry"?! Are the tariffs on everything from China and Taiwan to protect the U.S. Sichuan pepper farmers or artisanal soy sauce producers?! We don't even produce these products in this country. This is just plain nuts.
Thank you for this, Lisa. Businesses can’t afford to act as if they exist in a politics-free vacuum (whatever that is). I read this newsletter three times and forwarded it to a couple of other folks. It really helped me understand the impact of these particular tariffs from the perspective of a business whose mission I admire and that I hope to see thrive. And on that note, I’m off to place an order. Keep up the great work, all of it.
I also author a Substack(https://thecocoons.substack.com/about) focused on sharing cultural values and pushing back against the tide of anti-globalization. I deeply admire your work and mission at Yun Hai. I know working with food products must be challenging, but it's one of the most direct ways to support Taiwanese local farmers/producers and promote Taiwanese culture.
It all started with the Shallot Oil — I discovered your shop and a taste of home back in college. I’ve watched Yun Hai grow from an online store to a recognizable brand and even a physical shop in NYC. I’ve always felt incredibly inspired about your work. I’ve wanted to reach out for a while, and I think now is the right time. I’ll send over an email about how I might be able to help.
Hi Amy! Thanks so much for the note. I’m glad to hear that YH has been a place of joy for you! Will be happy to connect over email and I am excited to check out your newsletter.
Lisa, you have delivered a brilliant synopsis of what is going on with these tariffs -- not only from your micro perspective, but you have captured the macro perspective perfectly as well. You have pulled back the curtain exposing Trump's disingenuous "reciprocal tariffs" as nothing but a bag of tricks reminiscent of the movie scene where Toto pulled back the curtain to expose The Great Wizard of OZ as an ordinary man whose only power a bag of tricks. Of course, one was only a harmless movie, while the other is a real melomaniac indiscriminately destroying livelihoods.
I follow the news and have discussed this issue with many people and come away with this: Hardly anybody has any idea what is happening, how tariffs work or how they are supposed to work. It is either, "Rah, rah Trump, the god," or "I hate Trump." I wish everybody could read what you have written here as you captured the picture so well with so few words. Most people desperately need some education.
Thanks for taking the time to write. And, YES(!), this is a great place for it. It is more a matter of economics driven by politics than politics alone.
hoping tariff madness calms down. I’ve shopped at your store in Brooklyn and it’s good to hear how you’re evolving your business model to become more resilient!
I understand your frustration but this isn't exactly what I signed up to receive in my inbox when I purchased something from Yun Hai Taiwanese Pantry. This is a major "TL;DR" for a whole lot of people on your mailing list.
Thanks for comment! We try to make it clear that people are signing up for a behind the scenes newsletter on Taiwanese culture and current affairs. I don’t send any typical marketing emails, just long form letters. Feel free to unsubscribe-no hard feelings at all. And thanks for shopping with us!
That's sad. The biggest enemy of any democratic form of government is citizens who live in a bubble. What Americans lack most is education. You should fall to your knees and thank anyone who provides it free! Especially when she has such a constant warm and friendly smile! Man cannot live by bread alone.
I have been so happy to have found your online store, your articles, your cooking show, and hope to visit your Brooklyn store one day. I was so excited to have my own Tatung from you, the list goes on. I am so sorry this is happening and hope you can make it through this craziness. I will always be a customer and fan
Thanks so much! We’re mostly spared for now and I think our strategies will serve us well. I worry about how the market instability will tip the balances of power in the world, especially relative to Taiwan. Really appreciate your comment and your readership.
This is a nicely written overview of how Yun Hai is likely to be affected by the tariffs and how you're planning for the future accordingly. (I also think it's entirely appropriate content for a newsletter. This is as good a time as any for business to explain to a wider audience how changes in trade and public policy are impacting them.)
I thought I was mentally prepared for Trump 2.0, but it's even worse than I thought. I always thought tariffs were to protect domestic industries from unfair competition. Is the tariff on all Vietnamese exports to the U.S. to protect the American "domestic cinnamon industry"?! Are the tariffs on everything from China and Taiwan to protect the U.S. Sichuan pepper farmers or artisanal soy sauce producers?! We don't even produce these products in this country. This is just plain nuts.
Thank you for this, Lisa. Businesses can’t afford to act as if they exist in a politics-free vacuum (whatever that is). I read this newsletter three times and forwarded it to a couple of other folks. It really helped me understand the impact of these particular tariffs from the perspective of a business whose mission I admire and that I hope to see thrive. And on that note, I’m off to place an order. Keep up the great work, all of it.
Hi Lisa, this is Amy.
I also author a Substack(https://thecocoons.substack.com/about) focused on sharing cultural values and pushing back against the tide of anti-globalization. I deeply admire your work and mission at Yun Hai. I know working with food products must be challenging, but it's one of the most direct ways to support Taiwanese local farmers/producers and promote Taiwanese culture.
It all started with the Shallot Oil — I discovered your shop and a taste of home back in college. I’ve watched Yun Hai grow from an online store to a recognizable brand and even a physical shop in NYC. I’ve always felt incredibly inspired about your work. I’ve wanted to reach out for a while, and I think now is the right time. I’ll send over an email about how I might be able to help.
Hi Amy! Thanks so much for the note. I’m glad to hear that YH has been a place of joy for you! Will be happy to connect over email and I am excited to check out your newsletter.
Lisa, you have delivered a brilliant synopsis of what is going on with these tariffs -- not only from your micro perspective, but you have captured the macro perspective perfectly as well. You have pulled back the curtain exposing Trump's disingenuous "reciprocal tariffs" as nothing but a bag of tricks reminiscent of the movie scene where Toto pulled back the curtain to expose The Great Wizard of OZ as an ordinary man whose only power a bag of tricks. Of course, one was only a harmless movie, while the other is a real melomaniac indiscriminately destroying livelihoods.
I follow the news and have discussed this issue with many people and come away with this: Hardly anybody has any idea what is happening, how tariffs work or how they are supposed to work. It is either, "Rah, rah Trump, the god," or "I hate Trump." I wish everybody could read what you have written here as you captured the picture so well with so few words. Most people desperately need some education.
Thanks for taking the time to write. And, YES(!), this is a great place for it. It is more a matter of economics driven by politics than politics alone.
hoping tariff madness calms down. I’ve shopped at your store in Brooklyn and it’s good to hear how you’re evolving your business model to become more resilient!
I understand your frustration but this isn't exactly what I signed up to receive in my inbox when I purchased something from Yun Hai Taiwanese Pantry. This is a major "TL;DR" for a whole lot of people on your mailing list.
Thanks for comment! We try to make it clear that people are signing up for a behind the scenes newsletter on Taiwanese culture and current affairs. I don’t send any typical marketing emails, just long form letters. Feel free to unsubscribe-no hard feelings at all. And thanks for shopping with us!
That's sad. The biggest enemy of any democratic form of government is citizens who live in a bubble. What Americans lack most is education. You should fall to your knees and thank anyone who provides it free! Especially when she has such a constant warm and friendly smile! Man cannot live by bread alone.
I have been so happy to have found your online store, your articles, your cooking show, and hope to visit your Brooklyn store one day. I was so excited to have my own Tatung from you, the list goes on. I am so sorry this is happening and hope you can make it through this craziness. I will always be a customer and fan
Thanks so much! We’re mostly spared for now and I think our strategies will serve us well. I worry about how the market instability will tip the balances of power in the world, especially relative to Taiwan. Really appreciate your comment and your readership.