Trump Says Walmart Should ‘Eat the Tariffs’ After Retailer Signals Price Hikes

The president says the retail giant should absorb costs after executives said the administration’s tariff policies will drive up consumer prices.

Customers shop at a Walmart store in Chicago, on May 18, 2023. Scott Olson/Getty Images

President Donald Trump said on May 17 that Walmart should absorb added costs rather than passing them on to U.S. consumers after the retailer said it would raise prices in response to U.S. tariff policy.

“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump wrote in a social media post on May 17. “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!!!”