Walmart, tariffs, and China: a cautionary tale

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The Chinese ministry of commerce has held talks with Walmart, after the US retailer said it would pass on tariff costs to its suppliers and demand price cuts of 10%. This should be viewed as a “serious warning sign” to the White house, noted Peter Alexander, MD of Z-Ben Advisors, on social media. 

“The bargaining power of global buyers looks to have flipped fully to the supplier. The Walmart story can also act as a cautionary tale. It ties directly into the four-decade-long process of China consolidating global supply chains and production capacity.” 

It’s a theme Mr Alexander explores in his Substack article, As Walmart Goes, So Goes America. Worth a read.