Walmart's answer to tariffs was to pressure Chinese suppliers to lower costs. A supply-chain expert says the Chinese government will not take that lightly

Walmart pushing grocery carts outside of a store in China (Credit: Cheng Xin/Getty Images)

• Chinese officials met with Walmart to discuss the pressure the retailer was exerting on suppliers to lower their prices to offset cost increases from tariffs. Walmart has the leverage with suppliers to get them to lower prices, but even that can only go so far. If Walmart succeeds in keeping prices lower than its competitors, it could come out ahead, even if consumers become highly price-conscious. 

Officials from China’s Ministry of Commerce met with Walmart executives Tuesday to discuss reports the retailer had pressured Chinese suppliers to lower their prices after Trump's tariffs on China kicked in.