But Corporate America has to learn to speak a new language — one that informs shareholders and customers about the effects from tariffs while avoiding reaction from Trump on social media or a threat from him or his administration to punish or investigate a company.

President Donald Trump's tariffs are widening the gap between market-leader Walmart and Target, the companies' latest quarterly reports show, underscoring missteps at the smaller U.S. retailer amid economic uncertainty.

The sheer scale of Walmart's U.S. business - $442 billion in net sales last year, following a surge since the pandemic - gives it more negotiating power with suppliers. Record memberships at Sam's Club and booming sales in India and China have also insulated it from recent weakness in the U.S. economy.