The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

    Donald Trump blasts Walmart over tariffs! Here's what US President tells retail giant with 255 million customers

    Synopsis

    Walmart raised reservations about Trump reservations. US President Donald Trump has given a stern response.

    WalmartAP
    Walmart.
    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Walmart should "eat the tariffs" instead of blaming duties imposed by his administration on imported goods for the retailer's increased prices. His comments were in response to the world's largest retailer saying this week it would have to start raising prices later this month due to high tariffs, as per a report.

    "Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. 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, Trump said in a social media post"

    Walmart said it has always worked to keep its prices as low as possible, adding that this practice will not stop, Reuters reported.

    "We’ll keep prices as low as we can for as long as we can given the reality of small retail margins," the company said in a statement to Reuters.

    Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said on Thursday the retailer could not absorb all the tariff costs because of narrow retail margins. Even so, he said, the company was committed to ensuring that tariff-related costs on general merchandise, which primarily comes from China, would not drive food prices higher.

    Many U.S. companies have either slashed or pulled their full-year expectations amid friction between the U.S. and its trading partners, particularly China, as consumers curtail spending.

    As a bellwether of U.S. consumer health, Walmart's explicit statement about the impact of tariffs is a signpost for how the trade war is affecting the retail sector. Walmart is noted for its ability to manage costs more aggressively than other companies to keep prices low.

    Every week, 255 million people shop in its stores or place orders online around the world, and 90 per cent of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles (16 km) of a Walmart. Walmart's disclosure comes about three weeks after a published report that Amazon planned to disclose how much Trump-imposed tariffs were adding to the costs of its products. The White House blasted Amazon over the report, which the company promptly denied, as per the Reuters report.

    FAQs


    Q1. Who is President of USA?
    A1. President of USA is Donald Trump.

    Q2. What do we know about Walmart?
    A2. Every week, 255 million people shop in its stores or place orders online around the world, and 90 per cent of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles (16 km) of a Walmart. Walmart's disclosure comes about three weeks after a published report that Amazon planned to disclose how much Trump-imposed tariffs were adding to the costs of its products. The White House blasted Amazon over the report, which the company promptly denied, as per the Reuters report.


    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

    (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates.

    ...more

    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

    (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates.

    ...more
    The Economic Times

    Stories you might be interested in

    OSZAR »