President Donald Trump is calling out Walmart CEO Doug McMillon after the retail giant warned that new tariffs could lead to higher prices for American consumers. Trump, in no mood for corporate excuses, told Walmart to stop blaming tariffs and absorb the costs themselves.
“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected. Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS.’”
Walmart had warned that recent tariffs could lead to price increases on items ranging from bananas to children’s car seats. McMillon claimed that while the company works to keep prices down, the scale of the tariffs makes it difficult to shield customers from added costs—especially with thin profit margins in retail.
Trump, however, made it clear he doesn’t buy the argument. With Walmart raking in massive profits, he argued there’s no justification for passing the burden of tariffs onto everyday American families.
The confrontation underscores the President’s broader stance on trade and tariffs. Trump has consistently argued that strategic tariffs—especially on Chinese goods—are essential to reshaping unfair trade practices and bringing jobs back to the United States. He’s also repeatedly said that companies benefiting from America’s consumer base should prioritize American interests, not look for loopholes or excuses.
Walmart, as one of the largest retailers in the country, is often seen as a bellwether for how trade policies affect prices at the register. But Trump and his allies have long believed that big corporations have the ability—and responsibility—to eat the cost when it comes to patriotic policy shifts like tariffs on foreign imports.
This isn’t the first time Trump has clashed with corporate leaders over tariffs, and it likely won’t be the last. But his message is consistent: multibillion-dollar companies shouldn’t be squeezing American shoppers while padding their own profits.
With inflation still top-of-mind for voters and Trump leading the charge on reshaping U.S. trade policy, the pressure is on for companies like Walmart to decide whether they stand with the American worker—or just their bottom line.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon warns that they will be raising prices in response to President Trump’s tariffs. Shoppers will likely see price increases toward the end of May and more in June.
Batya Ungar-Sargon: “This is absolutely unacceptable and infuriating. Walmart walks around… pic.twitter.com/JpONWTgQRE
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) May 16, 2025