Walmart pledges $350B to American-made goods in push to reshore supply chains
By isabelle // 2025-05-02
Copy
 
  • Walmart commits $350 billion over 10 years to source American-made products, aiming to strengthen domestic supply chains and create 750,000 jobs.
  • The "Grow with US" program provides small businesses with training, mentorship, and financial tools to scale and sell through Walmart’s supply chain.
  • Walmart’s annual Open Call event allows small businesses to pitch directly to buyers, with pop-up events in six U.S. cities offering fast-track opportunities.
  • Two-thirds of Walmart’s U.S. products are already domestically sourced, but the new initiative aims to further reduce reliance on foreign imports amid rising consumer demand.
As trade tensions with China escalate and consumers increasingly seek domestically produced goods, Walmart is doubling down on its commitment to U.S. manufacturing. The retail giant announced a new $350 billion investment over the next decade to source American-made products, alongside a program called "Grow with US" aimed at helping small businesses scale. The initiative, unveiled by Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner, seeks to strengthen domestic supply chains while creating an estimated 750,000 jobs in a move aligned with broader efforts to reduce reliance on foreign imports.

A decade-long investment in American jobs

Walmart’s pledge to spend an additional $350 billion on U.S.-made goods marks one of the largest corporate commitments to domestic manufacturing in recent years. Furner emphasized the company’s long-standing focus on supporting small businesses, noting that over 60% of Walmart’s U.S. suppliers fall into this category. "More than 40 years ago, Mr. Sam set a priority that still drives us today: supporting American-made products and the small businesses behind them," he said in a statement. The investment comes as the Trump administration maintains 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, incentivizing companies to reshore production.

How "Grow with US" works

The four-step program offers small businesses training, mentorship, and financial resources to navigate Walmart’s supply chain. Step one includes free e-learning modules through Walmart’s Supplier Academy, covering retail fundamentals and advanced strategies. Step two helps businesses showcase products via Walmart’s Open Call events or its online Marketplace. Selected participants then receive mentorship (step three) and access to financing tools like early payment programs (step four). Furner told Axios the initiative aims to "make it easier for U.S.-based entrepreneurs to bring their products to a national stage." Walmart’s annual Open Call event, scheduled for October 7–8, 2025, in Bentonville, Arkansas, gives small businesses a chance to pitch directly to buyers. This year, the company is hosting pop-up pitch events in six cities, including Orlando, Austin, and Baltimore, offering entrepreneurs real-time feedback and potential fast-track invitations to the main event. "We anticipate thousands of small businesses will take advantage of these free resources," Furner said. Past Open Call successes include Milo’s Tea, which grew from a local Alabama brand to a nationwide Walmart supplier.

Consumers increasingly seek products made in the USA

With two-thirds of Walmart’s U.S. products already domestically sourced, the expansion signals a strategic shift toward insulating the retailer and consumers from global supply chain disruptions. CFO John David Rainey noted that China and Mexico remain key import sources, but the Grow with US program could further rebalance that ratio. The initiative also aligns with political and consumer trends favoring economic nationalism, as searches for "Made in the USA" products surge. For entrepreneurs, the program simplifies a notoriously complex retail onboarding process. Tricia Wallwork, CEO of Milo’s Tea, credited Walmart with helping her company expand from one store to four facilities and 1,000 jobs. Similar stories, Walmart says, underscore the potential of its small-business focus. Participants can register for Grow with US by submitting SBA certifications or requesting verification through Walmart’s portal. Walmart’s $350 billion commitment and Grow with US program reflect a growing corporate emphasis on self-reliance and local economic growth. By lowering barriers for small businesses and capitalizing on consumer demand for U.S.-made goods, the retailer is positioning itself as a catalyst for domestic manufacturing—a strategy that could reshape supply chains for years to come. This initiative perfectly exemplifies how Trump's trade policies are successfully encouraging major retailers to invest in domestic manufacturing while creating hundreds of thousands of American jobs. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Corporate.Walmart.com Axios.com Entrepreneur.com
Copy