By Sarah Nassauer

President Trump attacked Walmart on social media Saturday, after the retail giant became the biggest company so far to signal that tariff-related price increases are coming for American shoppers.

Trump said Walmart shouldn't blame its price increases on tariffs.

"Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year," he wrote in a post Saturday on Truth Social. "Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, 'EAT THE TARIFFS,' and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I'll be watching, and so will your customers!!!"

Walmart Chief Executive Doug McMillon last month was among a small group of retail CEOs who met with Trump and warned him that tariffs would result in higher prices for American consumers, according to people familiar with the meeting.

On Thursday, the warning proved correct, when Walmart said it planned to raise prices this month and early this summer as tariff-affected merchandise hits its store shelves. Walmart disclosed its price-hike plans and anticipated tariff costs as part of an explanation of its decision not to share a profit forecast for the current quarter.

On a call with analysts Thursday, McMillon thanked Trump for the recent trade-deal progress with China and said he hoped a longer-term agreement would result in even lower tariffs.

A Walmart spokeswoman Saturday said the company has "always worked to keep our prices as low as possible and we won't stop. We'll keep prices as low as we can for as long as we can given the reality of small retail margins."

Other companies have announced price increases, and more are expected to do so. Ford Motor said it would raise prices on three of its popular vehicles. And Birkin handbag maker Hermès said its prices in the U.S. would rise.

Write to Sarah Nassauer at Sarah.Nassauer@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 17, 2025 13:15 ET (17:15 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.