PBS NewsHour logo
Daily Caller logo
Fortune logo
9 articles
·1M

Walmart May Raise Prices Due to Trump's Tariffs, Treasury Chief Admits

Treasury Secretary Bessent confirms Walmart may pass tariff costs to consumers, contradicting Trump's demand to absorb them.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged that Walmart may indeed increase prices due to President Trump's tariffs, despite Trump’s insistence that the retailer absorb these costs. After speaking with CEO Doug McMillon, Bessent indicated that while Walmart will try to absorb some of the tariff costs, price hikes are likely. As inflation shows signs of easing, Bessent highlighted growing gasoline prices could affect consumer perceptions. This situation adds complexity to ongoing trade negotiations, with skepticism regarding Trump’s economic strategies persisting amid recent economic challenges.

Content generated by AI—learn more or report issue.

Pano Newsletter

Get both sides in 5 minutes with our daily newsletter.

Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

  • Walmart may pass some tariff costs onto consumers due to pressures from narrow retail margins and increasing operational costs.
  • President Trump has insisted that Walmart and China should absorb the costs of tariffs and avoid raising prices for shoppers, expressing oversight through social media proclamations.
  • While inflation has been easing, concerns remain about the impacts of tariffs on pricing strategies for retail chains like Walmart, especially as they navigate ongoing trade negotiations.

Articles (9)

Compare how different news outlets are covering this story.

LeftCenterRight
PBS NewsHour
Chicago Tribune
USA TODAY
Fortune
Fox Business
Boston Herald
New York Sun
The Daily Wire
Daily Caller

No highlight available for this article.

Bessent weighs in on tariff price hikes at Walmart
Boston HeraldBoston Herald·1M·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

No highlight available for this article.

Tariffs Will Likely Lead To Price Increases, Bessent Says
Daily CallerDaily Caller·1M·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

FAQ

Dig deeper on this story with frequently asked questions.

Walmart's decision to raise prices due to tariffs will likely contribute to increased inflation in the short term, as higher costs are passed on to consumers. This is happening despite recent easing in some tariff rates, which may not fully mitigate the impact on consumer prices[1][2][4].

President Trump has publicly criticized Walmart for planning to raise prices due to tariffs, urging the company to 'eat the tariffs' instead of passing them on to consumers. This stance is aimed at keeping consumer prices low, but it contrasts with the practical challenges faced by retailers like Walmart[2][3].

Walmart will absorb some of the tariffs, but it will also likely pass some costs on to consumers, as the company faces narrow retail margins and high tariff levels, even after recent reductions[5].

History

See how this story has evolved over time.

  • 1M
    Boston Herald logo
    Chicago Tribune logo
    Fox Business logo
    5 articles