WASHINGTON, May 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald

Trump said on Saturday that Walmart ( WMT ) should "eat the

tariffs" instead of blaming duties imposed on imported goods for

the retailer's increase prices.

His comments were in response to the world's largest

retailer saying this week that it would have to start raising

prices later this month due to high cost of tariffs.

"Walmart ( WMT ) should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason

for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart ( WMT ) made BILLIONS

OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected," Trump said in a

post on Truth Social.

"Between Walmart ( WMT ) and China they should, as is said, 'EAT THE

TARIFFS,' and not charge valued customers ANYTHING."

A representative of Walmart ( WMT ) could not be reached immediately

for comment.