Walmart pushes Chinese suppliers to slash prices over tariffs despite backlash from Beijing: report

Walmart is continuing to pressure Chinese suppliers to shoulder the costs of President Trump’s tariffs – even after state officials gave the retailer’s executives a dressing-down last month over their demands, according to a report.The world’s largest retailer is still pushing overseas suppliers to cut their prices by as much as 10%, essentially taking on the burden of the new taxes, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.Walmart did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.A spokesperson for the retailer told Bloomberg that the company’s conversations with suppliers are all aimed at delivering lower prices to customers.Its persistence in pushing Chinese suppliers, despite warnings from Beijing and state-affiliated media, signals the retailer is panicking over the potential price impact from Trump’s tariffs – a 20% levy on China that took effect March 4, and further taxes to be announced Wednesday that could stack on top.Walmart is negotiating with its suppliers across product categories, not by countries, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.Some Chinese manufacturers are struggling to meet Walmart’s demands, sources said.Facing the risk of losing access to US consumers, some factory owners say they have started to explore alternative manufacturing locations elsewhere in Asia, like Cambodia and Vietnam, according to the report.Walmart would be a significant loss for overseas suppliers, many of which seek out the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer as a steady partner that can be counted on for large, consistent orders.Last month, Chinese officials summoned Walmart executives for a meeting after receiving complaints that the discount chain was pushing suppliers to absorb the costs of the tariffs, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the news.Authorities told Walmart representatives it would be unfair and irresponsible to make Chinese suppliers pay for the taxes, ...