Walmart Warns Customers: Tariffs Will Mean Higher Prices

Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has issued a stark warning to customers that potential tariffs promised by President-elect Donald Trump could significantly raise prices on imported goods, reported Carl Gibson for AlterNet.

Walmart sources 70–80% of its goods from China, making it especially vulnerable to Trump’s proposed tariffs—up to 60% on Chinese imports and 20% on products from other countries. I Photo: Walmart Facebook

John David Rainey, Walmart’s chief financial officer, acknowledged the likely price hikes.

“Tariffs are going to be inflationary, there’s no disputing that,” Rainey said. The company plans to collaborate with suppliers and private brands to mitigate cost increases, but Rainey added, “We’re not immune.”

The retailer sources 70–80% of its goods from China, making it especially vulnerable to Trump’s proposed tariffs—up to 60% on Chinese imports and 20% on products from other countries.

Critics argue that Trump’s plan will disproportionately impact U.S. consumers. Jonathan Gold, vice president of the National Retail Federation (NRF), clarified, "A tariff is a tax paid by the U.S. importer, not a foreign country or exporter."

Gold warned that the costs would ultimately be borne by American consumers, either through higher import duties, increased prices, or both.

Additionally, investigative journalist David Cay Johnston has suggested that tariffs could incentivize corporations to raise prices well beyond what is necessary to cover the tax, potentially maximizing profits at consumers’ expense.