US President Donald Trump has criticised Walmart for attributing its planned price increases to tariffs, urging the retail giant to absorb the costs instead of passing them on to customers.

“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump said in a social media post on Saturday.

“Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year… Between Walmart and China, they should, as is said, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ and not charge valued customers ANYTHING.”

His remarks came days after Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the company would begin raising prices later this month due to high import tariffs, particularly on goods sourced from China. He noted that Walmart’s narrow retail margins limit its ability to absorb the full impact of the tariffs, though the company would work to shield food prices from increases.

In a statement to Reuters, Walmart reiterated its commitment to keeping prices as low as possible, saying, “We’ll keep prices as low as we can for as long as we can given the reality of small retail margins.”

Walmart’s warning underscores growing concern in the US retail sector over the impact of the ongoing trade conflict with China. As a key barometer of consumer sentiment, the company’s comments highlight how tariff pressures are being felt on the ground, with potential implications for spending patterns across the country.

Walmart serves 255 million customers weekly, with 90% of the US population living within 10 miles of one of its stores.