China has summoned executives of Walmart for regulatory talks, bringing the business practices of one of the United States’ most prominent companies under scrutiny and – in the wake of tariff increases from US President Donald Trump – suggesting more punitive action could come in advance of bilateral trade negotiations.
This, according to Yuyuantantian – the social media account of state broadcaster CCTV – would shift the cost of new US tariffs imposed on Chinese goods to domestic suppliers and consumers.
“Walmart’s unilateral demand on Chinese firms to cut prices could lead to disruptions of supply chains and hurt the interests of firms and consumers from both countries,” the account said.
“If Walmart insists on doing so, then what would happen next would be beyond talks.”
