Trump Met Retail Giants to Address Rising Tariff Impact/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump met with retail leaders to discuss tariff impacts. Executives from Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s attended. Retailers warned tariffs could raise costs and squeeze profit margins.
Trump Meets Major U.S. Retailers: Quick Looks
- Participants: CEOs and top executives from Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Target gathered at the White House on Monday.
- Agenda: The meeting focused on the implications of sweeping tariffs—especially those on Chinese imports—on U.S. consumers and businesses.
- Retail Dependence on Imports: Walmart and Target rely heavily on Chinese goods, with over half of their imports coming from China.
- Market Fallout: U.S. stocks, the dollar, and Treasury yields dipped amid tariff and inflation concerns.
- CEO Statements: Walmart and Target described the meeting as “productive,” while Home Depot called it “constructive.”
- Tariff Pause: Trump’s 90-day pause on most tariffs excludes China, where duties remain as high as 145%.
- Economic Concerns: Executives warned that tariffs could pressure profit margins and drive up prices on consumer staples.
- Retail Performance: Target shares are down 32% in 2025, while Walmart stock has seen modest gains.
Trump Meets Retail Giants to Address Rising Tariff Impact
Deep Look
WASHINGTON, April 21 — In a high-stakes White House meeting on Monday, President Donald Trump sat down with top executives from America’s biggest retailers—including Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s—to address growing concerns over tariffs and their potential impact on both consumer prices and corporate profits.
The meeting follows weeks of market instability and rising inflation fears tied to Trump’s aggressive trade policies, particularly his newly implemented “Liberation Day” tariffs. These include 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, a major concern for retailers who source significant portions of their inventory from the region.
Retailers Seek Clarity on Tariff Future
Retail giants are navigating economic uncertainty as tariffs raise the cost of imported goods. Walmart and Target, in particular, source more than half of their imports from China, and executives have warned that tariffs will result in higher prices for American consumers already grappling with inflation.
In a statement following the meeting, Walmart said it had a “productive” discussion with Trump and his team. The company’s CEO, Doug McMillon, attended the meeting—his first face-to-face with Trump since the tariffs were announced earlier this month.
Target also weighed in, calling the meeting “productive” and confirming the presence of CEO Brian Cornell, who discussed the need for a clear and fair path forward on trade.
Home Depot labeled the meeting “constructive,” but Lowe’s did not provide immediate comment.
Industry Concerns Mount
The broader retail industry is warning that the tariffs could cut into profit margins, especially for companies that depend heavily on imports for low-cost goods. Analysts suggest that Walmart, Target, and similar chains could face difficult financial quarters ahead if tariffs remain in place or escalate further.
In particular, Target has already suffered a 32% decline in stock value this year, while Walmart’s shares have remained nearly flat, up less than 2%. Home Depot and Lowe’s have both experienced double-digit stock losses.
Economic Turmoil and Market Reactions
Markets responded negatively to Trump’s tariff announcements, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones both falling on Monday. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield and the dollar also declined, highlighting investor concerns that ongoing trade wars and monetary policy disputes may destabilize the economy.
Trump has also drawn fire for his public feud with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of failing to support economic growth through rate cuts. These tensions have only added to the volatility in financial markets.
Tariffs Still Looming Despite Pause
Earlier this month, Trump announced sweeping tariffs on dozens of nations but paused most of them for 90 days, offering time for negotiations. However, China remains excluded from the pause, with full duties still in effect—further complicating trade relationships and increasing pressure on supply chains.
Retail leaders emphasized the need for stability and predictability in trade policy. “What businesses need is consistency, not chaos,” said one industry executive familiar with the meeting.
Looking Ahead
While the meeting provided an opportunity for dialogue, no new policy adjustments were announced. However, the discussions could lay the groundwork for future tariff negotiations, especially with pressure mounting on both sides to protect American jobs and consumer purchasing power.
Bloomberg was the first to report the details of Monday’s high-level meeting.
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