Former President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to retail giant Walmart on May 17, 2025, using his platform Truth Social to address concerns about rising prices amidst ongoing tariff adjustments. Trump’s post came at 11:56 AM and reflects the mounting pressures that many American companies are facing due to his administration’s trade policies.
In his message, Trump emphasized that Walmart should not attribute any price increases to tariffs, stating, “Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain.” In that letter, he called on the company to take the hit from any new tariffs. He noted that their profits to the tune of billions last year were hardly paltry. Trump announced, “Walmart earned BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, much more than they anticipated. Between Wal Mart and China they ought, as the saying goes, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ and not make paying valued customers, ‘NOTHING AT ALL.’
His comments follow an important policy pivot by the Administration to delay a planned major tariff increase on Chinese imports. Recently, the Trump administration lowered that tariff floor temporarily and from an already eye-popping 145% down to 30% to just three months. This unprecedented reduction hasn’t put much of a dent in the uncertainty that shrouds the economic future here in the United States. Under Chair Jerome Powell’s leadership, the Federal Reserve has largely held the benchmark interest rates at a steady level. They are adapting to the previously unthinkable tariffs that continue to threaten their existence.
The ex-president’s discussion of this transition underscores the tough line that many big American companies, including Walmart, have to walk. The company employs approximately 1.6 million people in the United States and has been navigating supply chain disruptions that have affected its pricing strategies. John David Rainey, Walmart’s Chief Financial Officer, acknowledged these challenges, stating, “We’re wired to keep prices low, but there’s a limit to what we can bear, or any retailer for that matter.”
Walmart, or any company Trump can intimidate In addition to Walmart, Trump has recently singled out and threatened other companies. Both Amazon and Apple have spoken out against this – hit by supply chain catastrophes exacerbated by his tariff policies. His tariffs have created their own ripple effect throughout many sectors of our economy. This has led to increased manufacturing costs for domestic and foreign automakers alike.
Despite the backlash against these tariffs, Trump remains adamant about preserving them as a source of revenue. He intends to maintain a baseline universal tariff of 10% for all but the richest countries. Further, he wants to impose tariffs on drugs, cars, steel and aluminum imported to the U.S.
Plus, let’s not forget Trump’s still taking heat for his overall approach to tariffs and how they’re hurting U.S. businesses. He has encouraged Fed Chair Jerome Powell to reduce benchmark interest rates. New analyses show that his tariffs will boost production costs for a significant number of companies. The administrative burden of having to apply for waivers undercuts the motive they were created to accomplish.
