Walmart vs. Trump: Who’s Really Paying for These Tariffs?

When Walmart raises prices, it’s not just about toothpaste and T-shirts — it’s about power, politics, and who gets stuck with the bill. And right now? Everyone’s pointing fingers. President Trump says Walmart should “eat the tariffs.” Walmart says, “We’re trying, but this plate is too full.”

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So What Happened?

Last Thursday, Walmart dropped its quarterly earnings. Good numbers, but then came the catch: prices are going up. Not someday. Soon. By the end of this month and into June.

Why? The CFO, John David Rainey, spelled it out. Tariffs on Chinese imports are cutting deep. Yes, even with a “reduced” 30% rate, it’s still too high for comfort. Walmart says it will try to absorb some of the costs, expects suppliers to eat a portion too, but it’s not enough. The rest? Guess who picks up the tab. You. Me. The average shopper.

“We’re wired to keep prices low for customers,” Rainey said. “But the level of tariffs that have been proposed is pretty challenging.”

Translation: “We’re trying, but we’re not superheroes.”