Overview

• President Trump publicly criticized Walmart on Truth Social, urging the retailer to absorb tariff costs instead of raising prices for consumers.
• Walmart CFO John David Rainey confirmed that price increases will begin later this month, with additional hikes expected in June due to tariff pressures.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged that Walmart will absorb some tariff costs but will also pass some on to customers, reflecting the strain on narrow retail margins.
• Walmart’s stock dropped approximately 2% in pre-market trading following Trump’s comments, highlighting investor concerns about the impact of tariffs on the retailer’s profitability.
• The U.S.-China tariff truce reduced import duties to 30%, but economists warn that the ongoing trade policies are likely to increase costs for businesses and consumers alike.