WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump fired off a sharp warning to Walmart on Saturday, urging the retail giant to swallow the costs caused by his tariffs rather than passing those expenses onto shoppers.
As Trump has raised import taxes, he insists that foreign producers and big retailers like Walmart should bear the burden, not consumers. However, many economists remain skeptical, warning that these tariffs are fueling inflation and will ultimately drive up prices for everyday goods. Walmart itself recently warned that items ranging from bananas to children’s car seats could see significant price hikes.
In a pointed post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump called out Walmart, which employs 1.6 million people across the U.S., for trying to shift blame onto tariffs for raising prices.
“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump wrote. “Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected. Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”
This message highlights the difficult balancing act many American companies face under Trump’s trade policies — caught between rising costs, worried customers, and the president’s public rebukes. Trump has issued similar warnings to U.S. automakers, demanding they avoid passing tariff-related costs onto consumers despite higher production expenses.
The tariffs have cast a shadow over an otherwise steady U.S. economy. On Friday, the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey hit its second-lowest level on record, with about 75% of participants spontaneously mentioning tariffs as a key concern driving expectations of rising inflation.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon met with Trump in April to discuss the tariffs, but the administration has pressed ahead with its policies. Meanwhile, companies like Amazon and Apple have also faced challenges from supply chain disruptions tied to the tariffs.
John David Rainey, Walmart’s chief financial officer, recently warned that a $350 car seat imported from China could soon cost shoppers an additional $100 — a 29% increase.
“We’re wired to keep prices low, but there’s a limit to what we can bear, or any retailer for that matter,” Rainey told The Associated Press after Walmart reported strong first-quarter sales.
In a recent move, the administration reduced a steep 145% tariff on some Chinese goods to 30% for 90 days. But Trump has also slapped tariffs as high as 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada over immigration and drug trafficking concerns, straining relations with the country’s two biggest trading partners.
Currently, most countries face a baseline 10% tariff, with Trump promising new trade deals in the coming weeks. He intends to keep tariffs as a steady revenue source, including a deal with the United Kingdom that would largely maintain the 10% rate.
Beyond goods, tariffs also target autos, steel, aluminum, and potentially pharmaceutical drugs, creating uncertainty across the economy. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has kept interest rates steady, citing the unpredictable impact of tariffs on growth and prices.
On Saturday, Trump once again urged Powell to cut rates — a move that could further boost inflation — while insisting that inflation pressures are fading.
“Too Late Powell, a man legendary for being Too Late, will probably blow it again – But who knows???” Trump posted on Truth Social.
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