Walmart and Warren Buffett on tariffs, a Target boycott, Starbucks layoffs: Business news roundup


President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports of foreign goods have already begun, and more are on the way, likely forcing some businesses to raise prices.



Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol wants corporate employees to work harder and take accountability for the coffee giant’s financial health.
Speaking to staff in Seattle in his first address since announcing layoffs last month, Niccol pointed out that inefficiencies in the company’s operations and decision-making processes have contributed to recent struggles. “We’re not effective,” he said.

While many companies have announced plans to roll back DEI policies in the past couple of months, fewer have paid a higher price than Target (TGT). The Minneapolis-based retailer had been very vocal in support of DEI efforts after the police killing of George Floyd in 2020 and their pausing of efforts has caused a backlash.

Walmart is thriving among wealthier shoppers, but for lower-income customers, the situation is more challenging, according to CEO Doug McMillion.
Speaking at the Economic Club of Chicago on Feb. 27, McMillion explained that persistent high food prices are causing “frustration and pain” for many shoppers, particularly those “at the lower end of that scale.”

Legendary investor Warren Buffett criticized planned U.S. tariffs on international trade partners, noting that the duties may hurt consumers.
“Tariffs are actually, we’ve had a lot of experience with them. They’re an act of war, to some degree,” the Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) CEO told CBS News over the weekend.

Trump freezes his 25% tariffs on Mexican imports for one month
The president’s duties on Canada are still in effect
Ozempic competitor in the works at Amgen reaches late-stage clinical trials
The pharma company announced today that it has begun two late-stage clinical trials for its experimental weight-loss drug, MariTide