Bessent says Walmart will absorb 'some tariffs'
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President Donald Trump lashed out at Walmart (WMT) on Saturday, pressuring the retail giant not to raise prices after it warned that his trade war policies would force it to do so.
“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump posted. “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!!!”
Over the weekend, the president took to Truth Social to say Walmart should “EAT THE TARIFFS” after CEO Doug McMillon hinted at higher prices.
President Trump publicly criticized Walmart, urging them to absorb tariff costs instead of raising prices for consumers. This rebuke followed Walmart CEO Doug McMillon's warning about impending price increases due to tariffs on goods primarily imported from China.
Bessent told CNN's "State of the Union" May 18 that he spoke with Walmart CEO Doug McMillon the day before, when Trump told the company on Truth Social that they should "' EAT THE TARIFFS ," and not charge valued customers "ANYTHING."
Walmart’s CEO has risked a White House rebuke by warning that the budget retailer has no choice but to hike its prices because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Doug McMillon said Thursday during an earnings call that the business is feeling the squeeze of Trump’s so-called Liberation Day levies,
Shoppers at Walmart should brace for price increases on a wide range of goods in the near future, the company's Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey has warned, according to a CNBC interview. Despite a recent 90-day reprieve that lowered duties on Chinese imports to 30%,
5don MSN
Walmart warns of potential price hikes due to tariffs, despite strong Q1 results and e-commerce growth. The retailer remains optimistic about future sales.
We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible,” Walmart’s CEO said. But ultimately, shoppers may end up paying the price.
The Trump administration’s war with Walmart continued on Sunday, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted in an interview that Americans would be paying higher prices at the big-box retailer and other stores across the country.