Walmart responds to Trump’s comments, retailers should “eat tariffs”

BENTONG VILLE, Arkansas (KNWA/KFTA) – Shortly after Walmart announced prices for multiple items sold by the chain would rise, President Trump blew up the company on social media, accusing it of accusing him of his tariff agenda.

“Walmart should stop trying to use tariffs as a reason to raise prices,” Trump wrote in a Truth Society post on Saturday. “Between Walmart and China, as stated, they should ‘eat tariffs’ and not charge any fees to valuable customers. I will watch it, and your customers will watch it too!!!”

Trump’s position was published in Walmart’s first-quarter revenue announcement that the price of any price from bananas to car seats will increase in part, partly due to the president’s tariffs.

The retail giant responded to Trump’s comments in a statement to NBC News and CBS News.

“We’ve been working on keeping prices as low as possible and we won’t stop,” the company said. “As long as we can bring the reality of smaller retail margins, we’ll be as low as possible.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a news interview Sunday that he spoke with Walmart CEO Doug McMillon a day ago, and the company reportedly would absorb some tariffs.

According to the Associated Press, “Walmart will absorb some tariffs, and some may be passed on to consumers.”

Wal-Mart told Nexstar’s KNWA on Sunday that it had no comments on Bessent’s speech.

Retailers are not the only companies that announce price increases.

Microsoft said earlier this month it plans to increase the suggested retail price of Xbox video game consoles and some controllers. Although the Xbox console is known to be made in China, the company does not provide the exact reason for the price increase, a target of the Trump administration’s massive tariffs.

Barbie doll maker Mattel, Ford and e-commerce giants Temu and Shein also recently announced tariff-related price increases.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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