A Warning To Big Retail: Stick With America First

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump successfully cut a trade deal with China, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announcing our biggest adversary has agreed to scale back tariffs on U.S. imports to just 10 percent for three months.

The announcement likely came as a shock to the left-wing media and Democrats who swore it would never, ever happen. But it was a good reminder that the president understands what mainstream American media has failed to cover: China is losing this trade war. Chinese factory floors are deserted, and cargo bookings between the United States and China are down by nearly 50%.

And it’s not just China. Trump also recently announced a trade agreement with the United Kingdom and is closing in on deals with India, Japan, and South Korea.

Back at home, American manufacturers are seeing a surge in demand, ramping up production, preparing to hire new workers, and announcing billions of dollars in new investments. Meanwhile, President Trump is determined to cut taxes, red tape, and regulations, all of which are sure to help American consumers and businesses alike.

You might think this success would change how American businesses think about Trump. Too often, big companies substitute their core values for the zero-sum game of appealing to one side of the political spectrum, costing them public trust and hurting their bottom line.

(Two words: Bud Light.)

Simply put, corporate America has a long track record of poor decision-making and choosing the wrong hills to die on. After initially embracing Trump, many big businesses have now turned on him, thanks to tariffs. They may want to reconsider.

After Donald Trump’s resounding victory last November, big retailers from Walmart to Amazon to Target were quick to reach out, applaud, and align themselves with the new president, donating millions for inaugural ceremonies and even attending themselves in person, congratulating President Trump on his victory, and generally making nice with the White House’s newest occupant.

“Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. No nation has bigger opportunities,” wrote Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on X.

“The dignity of our country is not for sale,” reads an ad by Walmart heiress Christy Walton placed in the New York Times shortly after President Trump’s win.

But the honeymoon ended as soon as it began.

“These tariffs may be aimed at China, but the bill will be charged to American consumers who will pay more at the checkout,” warned the vice president of international trade for the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which represents Target and Best Buy, among other major retailers.

Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz said on CNBC that manufacturing won’t come to America, but price hikes will.

Unfortunately for these businesses, gaslighting families into blaming Trump for the high prices won’t work. A recent focus group in Pennsylvania found that, even though voters didn’t fully understand tariffs, they still supported Trump.

Bottom line: Big retail would do well to sit tight and stick with the president on this one.

The payoff will be more than just dollars and profits. They’ll have earned the trust of the public, demonstrating they take seriously the principles and pride of being an American, and in the long run, consumers will thank them with their wallets for years to come.

Carly Bird is a Republican strategist and founder and president of Bird’s Eye Consulting. She previously served as the national spokeswoman for Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.