Repeated tariffs and inconsistent trade actions have made companies worldwide nervous. Some major retailers in the US have already increased prices or warned that they will do so soon.

Recently, President Trump put new import taxes on many of America's trading partners and specific goods. Some countries, especially China, have responded with their own taxes. Although some of the highest taxes have been stopped or lowered, many others still affect businesses.

This happens because businesses that import goods pay tariffs, leading to increased costs that are usually passed on to customers. Trump claimed his tariffs would bring manufacturing and investment back to the US. However, because many products rely on international supply chains, experts have warned that these widespread tariffs will likely increase prices for everyday goods and services.

Numerous companies, along with their customers, are already experiencing the effects of this situation. Below are some well-known retailers that have recently announced or expect price increases due to the current trade disputes.

Walmart was the latest company to announce on Thursday that it would have to increase prices because of higher costs resulting from tariffs.

Although Walmart has tried to protect itself from some tariff issues by sourcing a large portion of its products in the US, it will still be affected. Walmart executives have reported that prices started increasing in late April and have risen faster this month. They also predict that the biggest impact will be in June and July, which is the peak shopping period for back-to-school items.

John David Rainey, the company's CFO, highlighted that the cost of many essential goods is increasing. For instance, bananas imported from Costa Rica have risen from 50 to 54 cents per pound. Furthermore, he anticipates that car seats made in China, currently priced at $350 at Walmart, will probably increase by another $100.

"We naturally aim to maintain low prices, but there's a limit to what we, and any retailer, can realistically manage," Rainey explained to The Associated Press.

Mattel, the company that makes Barbie and Hot Wheels, announced recently that they may need to increase prices "where needed" to balance out the costs of tariffs.

The toymaker, which produces 40% of its toys in China, announced potential price increases on May 5th. This was before the US and China agreed to a 90-day pause in raising tariffs. However, tariffs on Chinese goods are still higher than they were before the recent increases.

Mattel announced in its recent financial report that they intend to shift production of about 500 items from Chinese factories to other countries this year, a rise from 280 items last year; furthermore, for some of their most popular toys, they will use factories in multiple countries.

In early May, Microsoft increased the suggested retail prices of Xbox consoles and controllers globally. For instance, the Xbox Series S now costs $379.99 in the U.S., an $80 increase from its initial 2020 price of $299.99. The Xbox Series X, which is more powerful, will now be sold for $599.99, a $100 rise from its original price of $499.99.

In a May 1st update on Xbox support, Microsoft acknowledged that these changes would be difficult, citing "market conditions and the rising cost of development" as reasons, but without directly mentioning tariffs.

Microsoft has also announced Xbox price changes for Europe, the UK, and Australia. They stated that other countries will receive local updates too. Furthermore, Microsoft expects to increase the price of some of its new games to $79.99 later this year.

Last month, major online retailers Temu and Shein separately announced similar price increases, explaining that these were due to recent changes in international trade regulations and tariffs.

In late April, customers noticed price increases on many goods, especially before the May 2 end of the de minimis rule, which allowed duty-free imports from China. While the recent agreement between the U.S. and China has reduced some costs, these goods are still subject to tariffs; for example, low-value packages from China arriving via the U.S. Postal Service now face a 54% tariff, reduced from 120%.

Even before this break, Temu seemed to stop sending goods directly from China, using stock already in the U.S. The company, which is owned by PDD Holdings, still promotes many products from "local" warehouses, promising U.S. buyers "no import costs." Meanwhile, Shein, based in Singapore, now tells customers at checkout that "Taxes are part of the price. You won't need to pay more when it's delivered."

Stanley Black & Decker, a tool manufacturer, announced that after increasing prices in April, they intend to raise them again between July and September due to rising tariffs.

CEO Donald Allan, Jr. stated last month that they are quickly changing their supply network and considering all possibilities to reduce the effect of tariffs on customers, while also protecting the company's interests.

Procter & Gamble, the huge consumer goods company behind well-known brands like Crest, Tide, and Charmin, has indicated that they will probably need to increase prices for shoppers. The company stated last month that they were trying to lower expenses caused by tariffs, such as by changing where they get their supplies to avoid these charges. However, they added that customers might start seeing higher prices from July onwards.