Walmart is taking steps to source more products from U.S.-based small business suppliers as the world's largest retailer tries to keep prices low.
🇺🇸 Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner tells Axios in an exclusive interview that the company aims to boost opportunities for small American businesses, noting it already devotes about two-thirds of its product spend on U.S.-made, grown or assembled goods.
🏷️ Between the lines: Walmart recently confirmed plans to raise some prices as it grapples with the impact of increased tariffs, drawing the ire of President Trump.
⏱️ Another advantage is speed. Walmart now has more than half a billion items for sale online.
LAS VEGAS — Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol tells Axios that one of the company's biggest missteps was pulling back on in-store seating — and now he's making it a top priority to fix it.
Why it matters: "We had this strategy that I think was just a misfire of a purpose-driven store. It's like, well, the purpose is community connection," Niccol said. "I think that's what got us off our game."
Walmart is taking steps to source more products from U.S.-based small business suppliers as the world's largest retailer tries to keep prices low.
Why it matters: Walmart recently confirmed plans to raise some prices as it grapples with the impact of increased tariffs, drawing the ire of President Trump.
President Trump told reporters Thursday that he was "amazed" Elon Musk had endorsed him in the first place, given Trump's long-standing position on electric vehiclesthat would hurt Musk's company.
Why it matters: In the aftermath of Trump and Musk's fallout — which shifted from scorched-earth calls for impeachment to a more peaceful stalemate — the president and the former DOGE head have struck a conciliatory tone.
The U.S. government produces vast quantities of data about what's happening in every corner of the economy.
Its ability to do so is facing threats, both from long-running challenges and the impact of Trump administration policies.
The big picture: The agencies that carry out the survey work and other data collection underlying GDP, employment, inflation, and other federal statistics are facing longstanding funding strains, falling survey response rates, and now further federal cutbacks.
At a moment of potential transatlantic fracture, some U.S. lawmakers are headed to France with a message: Washington still values its ties to Europe.
The big picture: Tariffs, disagreements over Ukraine aid, questions of U.S. commitment to NATO and an American refusal at the U.N. to condemn Russian belligerence have all strained longstanding relationships.
Bananas are losing some, ahem, appeal. Prices for the ubiquitous yellow fruit are on the rise, even as inflation cools.
Why it matters: Tariff increases are starting to drive inflation for certain goods, and perishable items that can't be produced domestically are first in line.
Here's what's new on Hulu, Netflix, Apple TV+, BET+ and Prime Video.
What we're watching: Documentaries about millennial media star Alex Cooper and the Astroworld Festival tragedy and a new thriller starring Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, one of America's most powerful lobbying groups, is pushing for policies it believes will unleash 3% economic growth.
The Chamber's new chairman, Ross Perot Jr., is blunt about the challenges of getting there in the short term.
Why it matters: The group has cheered President Trump's agenda as pro-growth, applauding efforts to relax regulations and extend current tax policy. But tariffs are the dividing issue — one the Chamber says is weighing on small businesses and the broader economy.
President Trump's reputation as a consummate dealmaker is being challenged by his second-term record.
Why it matters: Supporters inside and outside the White House regularly rhapsodize his negotiating skills. Unorthodox moves are lauded as part of "The Art of the Deal."
If Trump's dealmaking stature were to erode, it could limit his flexibility on everything from tariffs to taxes.
President Trump launched a website Wednesday for people to register their interest in signing up for a "gold card" that would enable successful applicants to buy U.S. permanent residency for $5 million.
The big picture: Trump has suggested the card that would replace the EB-5 investor visa could result in 1 million units sold and raise enough money to retire the national debt.
