Price hikes are hitting families across the United States hard as retailers pass on the trade cost increases brought about by Trump's tariff policies to consumers.
The consequences of trade and tariff policies turning from presidential threats into reality are emerging, with real implications for U.S. consumers. Earlier this month, Walmart - the world's largest retailer - announced it would raise prices due to President Donald Trump's tariffs that include a 30 percent levy on Chinese imports.
Recently, customers who had just finished shopping at a Walmart in Miami shared their frustrations with China Global Television Network (CGTN) about the soaring prices.
"A lot of prices raised. Some of them even double, double the price. That's a little bit too much," said Shao Qiming, a shopper.
"The fruits have been going up. And meat, the meat has been going up as well," said another shopper, Alexander James.
Adriana Rosale told CGTN that she spent around 300 dollars on her family's grocery haul, whereas before a typical bill would have come out to around 200 dollars.
Despite its massive buying power, Walmart said that it cannot absorb all the trade costs and warn shoppers of even higher prices in weeks ahead, sparking a public confrontation with the Trump Administration.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed back in an interview on NBC's Meet The Press, insisting the retail giant shoulder tariff costs. Trump, on social media, questioned the need for price hikes: "Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected."
In addition to Walmart, luxury fashion house Ralph Lauren, footwear giant Nike, and toy manufacturer Mattel are all raising prices. The toy industry has been under intense pressure, as roughly 80 percent of toys sold in the U.S. come from China.
The U.S. president also warned that a 25-percent tariff would be imposed on Apple unless iPhones and other potential products are made domestically.
"It is part of Trump's modus operandi to single out, whether it's countries or, in some cases, companies, for specific treatment but then potentially roll back. He wants all to play along to his tune and his way of thinking. And this is a way of trying to extricate more pledges, I think, from Apple going forward, to move more production back to the United States," said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at British financial service company Hargreaves Lansdown.
Retailers pass on higher costs to US shoppers amid tariff increases
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
