Bentonville, Arkansas – Retail giant Walmart is responding to recent remarks from former President Donald Trump, who criticized the company for attributing rising prices to tariffs imposed during his administration. The comments have stirred a public exchange over who should bear the cost of those tariffs—businesses or consumers.
The controversy began after Walmart announced on May 15 that shoppers can expect to see price increases on a wide range of products, from everyday grocery items like bananas to larger purchases such as car seats. The company cited the impact of tariffs as a key reason for the changes. Although some tariffs have been paused or reduced, Walmart executives warned that noticeable price hikes had already begun in April and are projected to continue through the summer.
Walmart’s explanation didn’t sit well with Trump, who responded forcefully via a Truth Social post on May 17.
“Walmart should STOP trying to blame tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump wrote. “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!!!”
The former president’s comments reignited the broader debate over who ultimately pays for tariffs: the retailer, the supplier, or the consumer. For its part, Walmart insists that while it is committed to keeping prices affordable, there are economic realities that make absorbing these costs unsustainable over time.
“We’re wired to keep prices low, but there’s a limit to what we can bear, or any retailer for that matter,” said John David Rainey, Walmart’s chief financial officer. His statement echoes the company’s ongoing position that it has done everything possible to cushion the blow for customers, but certain external pressures—like tariffs—are beyond its control.
Industry analysts say Walmart is not alone in grappling with inflation and trade policies. Tariffs on imported goods often lead to increased production and shipping costs, which companies typically offset by adjusting retail prices. Some analysts argue that businesses like Walmart, which operate on thin profit margins in highly competitive markets, are particularly sensitive to such cost pressures.
Still, Trump’s demand for large corporations to “eat the tariffs” has resonated with a segment of his supporters who view rising prices as corporate greed rather than policy consequence. Walmart’s executives, however, maintain that the issue is more complex than it may appear on social media.
As the summer shopping season approaches and inflation remains a concern for American families, the spotlight is likely to stay on Walmart and other major retailers. For now, the company appears steadfast in its message: it’s doing what it can to keep prices down, but it can’t absorb every cost alone.
Whether consumers agree—or will turn elsewhere in protest—remains to be seen.
