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Walmart Faces Price Hike Backlash Following Tariff Impact and Trump Criticism

The retailer plans double-digit price increases on key imports as tariffs rise, while President Trump pressures Walmart to absorb costs.

Customers enter a Walmart store on April 09, 2025 in San Leandro, California.
CFO John David Rainey said RIM accounting will accentuate tariff-induced financial swings.
A Walmart store in Martinez, Calif., on Nov. 18, 2024.

Overview

  • Walmart announced it will raise prices on products like baby strollers, furniture, and toys starting late May to offset the 30% tariff on Chinese imports.
  • President Trump criticized Walmart on Truth Social, urging the company to absorb tariff costs instead of passing them on to customers.
  • Walmart CFO John David Rainey highlighted the challenges of managing tariff-driven cost increases using the retail inventory method (RIM), which complicates cost forecasting.
  • The retailer is employing scenario planning to navigate tariff uncertainty and maintain its full-year sales and operating income guidance.
  • Walmart’s stock dropped around 2% in pre-market trading following Trump’s public remarks, reflecting market sensitivity to the pricing strategy.