Asian Americans cite inflation and cost of living as top concerns, poll finds

WASHINGTON — About half of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander adults say the government should prioritize the high cost of living and inflation, according to a new poll.

The survey, conducted in early December by AAPI Data and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that AAPI communities are significantly more concerned about the economy than the general U.S. population, where only about one-third of adults shared the same priority.

This economic anxiety transcends political affiliations. AAPI Democrats, independents, and Republicans all reported higher levels of concern regarding inflation than their counterparts in the broader public.

Concerns over rising costs within the AAPI community have increased since last year, jumping from 40% to 50% of respondents. Healthcare costs also emerged as a top issue, with 44% of those surveyed urging the government to focus on medical expenses.

Several factors contribute to these concerns, including the high concentration of AAPI residents in expensive states like California and New York. Additionally, tariffs on imported goods—specifically ethnic foods—have driven up prices for many households.

The poll also highlights a decline in confidence following the 2024 election. Fewer members of the AAPI community now believe the government can effectively address these rising costs.

Recent polling reveals a widening disconnect between the Trump administration’s economic narrative and the lived realities of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. While the executive branch touts success in stabilizing inflation, data indicates that this demographic—among the fastest-growing in the U.S. electorate—is experiencing cost-of-living pressures far more acutely than the national average.

At the heart of this friction is the administration’s tariff regime, which has emerged as a double-edged sword for the White House. Though framed as a mechanism to safeguard domestic industry, these protectionist levies act as a direct tax on AAPI households. Because of a high reliance on ethnic markets that stock imported goods, the community faces higher prices for daily essentials. This creates a distinct political paradox: a signature economic policy is penalizing a pivotal constituency, including many Republican-leaning voters within the community.

The resulting erosion of confidence in the federal government’s problem-solving capacity should be an alarm bell for policymakers. For AAPI voters, this skepticism is rooted in a perceived failure to address specific hurdles, ranging from the soaring cost of imported staples to persistent barriers within the healthcare system. This divergence in economic perception is not merely a polling anomaly; it is a trend that threatens to reshape voter turnout and partisan alignment in the upcoming election cycle.

These survey results reflect the deep-seated anxieties shared by many Vietnamese-American families today. From the bustling hubs of Little Saigon to local storefronts, Vietnamese grocery stores and phở restaurants that rely on imports from Asia are facing a dual squeeze from tariffs and rising shipping costs. These overhead expenses are often passed down to the community, driving up the price of daily essentials.

For middle-class households, persistent inflation is hampering the ability to save for long-term milestones, such as college tuition for their children or retirement. Furthermore, for those who still provide financial support to relatives abroad, the high cost of living in the U.S. is tightening budgets and reducing the capacity to send remittances, creating a ripple effect that directly impacts the well-being of family members back in Vietnam.