Overview

• President Trump criticized Walmart for planning price increases, urging the retailer to absorb tariff costs rather than passing them to consumers.
• Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated that the company cannot fully absorb the tariff-related costs due to narrow profit margins, with price hikes expected to begin this month.
• The Trump administration recently reduced tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30% for 90 days, but Walmart executives argue the tariffs remain too high.
• Economic analysts warn that the tariffs could exacerbate inflation, with consumer sentiment hitting its second-lowest level on record, largely attributed to tariff concerns.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reached out to Walmart's CEO to discuss the company's pricing strategy, emphasizing the administration's stance on mitigating inflationary pressures.