Trump Tells Walmart to ‘Eat the Tariffs’ as Price Hike Warning Sparks Debate

In a fiery post on Truth Social this weekend, former President Donald Trump took aim at Walmart, blasting the retail giant for warning that tariffs are forcing them to raise prices. His message? Don’t pass the cost to consumers “eat the tariffs.”

“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump wrote. “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 public rebuke followed comments from Walmart CFO John David Rainey, who told that the company is facing unprecedented cost pressures from import duties and may have no choice but to raise prices.

📦 Walmart: Squeezed by Tariffs, Trying to Hold the Line

As America’s largest retailer and grocer, Walmart’s influence is massive with roughly 70–80% of its merchandise estimated to be imported from China. That includes electronics, toys, and household goods, as well as produce like avocados and bananas from Latin America.

While the Trump administration recently issued a 90-day pause on some tariffs, reducing duties on Chinese goods to 30%, Walmart says the impact is still substantial, especially on consumer electronics and everyday goods.

“We have not seen price increases at this magnitude, in the speed in which they’re coming at us before,” said Rainey. “It makes for a challenging environment.”

🧾 Walmart’s Strategy: Absorb What They Can, Share the Rest

Walmart says it’s working hard to keep prices low but the cost pressure is real. Rainey added that Walmart will absorb some of the increased costs, but that they also expect suppliers to do their part.

“We’ll try to work with suppliers to keep prices as low as we can,” Rainey said.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to affordability, releasing a follow-up statement on Saturday in response to Trump’s comments:

“We have always worked to keep our prices as low as possible and we won’t stop. We’ll keep prices as low as we can for as long as we can, given the reality of small retail margins.”

🏭 Walmart Isn’t Alone in Sounding the Alarm

Walmart joins a growing list of major brands that are signaling price increases tied to ongoing trade tensions and tariffs:

• 🎮 Microsoft raised the retail prices of its Xbox consoles and controllers.
• 🧸 Mattel said it’s relocating some production out of China but still expects toy prices to rise.
• 🚗 Ford warned of higher vehicle prices on certain models.
• 🛍️ Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are expected to provide updates next week on how tariffs are affecting their pricing and operations.

📊 Market Reaction: Steady for Now

Despite the tariff tensions and the price warnings, Walmart’s stock held strong, ending Friday up 2% at $98.24. The company maintained its full-year sales forecast but opted not to release specific earnings guidance for the second quarter, citing uncertainty around the evolving tariff environment.

Final Thoughts: Tariffs, Politics, and the Checkout Line

The clash between Trump and Walmart reflects a deeper tension facing American businesses: who absorbs the cost of global trade policy?

While tariffs are intended to pressure foreign governments, they often wind up affecting prices for consumers at home. Walmart, like many retailers, is caught in the middle trying to preserve margins, manage supplier relationships, and maintain its reputation as a low-price leader.

As the political and economic landscape continues to shift, all eyes will remain on how major retailers respond and how shoppers react.