By Gloria Nosa
Walmart is ramping up its commitment to U.S. manufacturing in the wake of tariffs introduced under former President Donald Trump, a move the retail giant says is strengthening domestic supply chains and creating jobs.
John Furner, Walmart’s Chief Executive Officer, confirmed at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum that the company is investing heavily in U.S.-sourced products, a strategy that he described as both a patriotic and practical response to shifting trade policies.
“Investing in U.S. manufacturing and U.S. operations is not only good for business, but it’s also good for employment and our country’s economic resilience,” Furner said. “It helps keep our supply chain flexible and dynamic.”
According to Furner, nearly two-thirds of Walmart’s current inventory is already made, grown, or assembled in the United States, and that share is set to grow. Among its latest projects is a new beef processing facility in Olathe, Kansas, expected to generate more than 600 new jobs.
The company is also reviving domestic production in essential sectors such as pharmaceuticals. Through a partnership with USAntibiotics, Walmart plans to bring back locally manufactured medications like amoxicillin, which have largely been sourced overseas in recent years.
Still, Furner acknowledged the challenges. Some products—such as coffee—cannot be produced domestically, and U.S.-made goods often come with higher price tags than foreign imports. “We want to keep prices as low as possible for as long as possible,” Furner said. “But customers are smart and resilient—they adjust to what’s right for their families at the time.”
Trump’s tariff policies, which placed steep duties on imports from countries like China and India, have forced many U.S. retailers to rethink sourcing strategies. While prices on store shelves may rise for some imported products, companies like Walmart see long-term value in investing closer to home.
“Policies change, markets change, and so do commodities,” Furner said. “But we’re proud that heading into this fall, we have more price rollbacks than we did earlier in the year. That shows we can adapt while still giving customers value.”
With Walmart leading the charge, analysts suggest that the trend toward domestic production could reshape American retail for years to come, making Trump’s tariffs a lasting influence on corporate America’s supply chains.
