Walmart on Tuesday touted a plan to create some 10,000 jobs in the United States this year, a move that may help it get in front any potential pressure from President-elect Donald Trump.
The number of jobs is a drop in the bucket for the nation’s largest private employer — Walmart has 1.4 million U.S. employees — but comes as many companies fear being lashed by Trump. The President-elect takes office on Friday and has used Twitter to take to task U.S. companies that manufacture products abroad destined for the American market, or that have outsourced jobs. (His own line of clothing sold at U.S. stores was made in Asia, as is his daughter Ivanka’s fashions.)
“With a presence in thousands of communities and a vast supplier network, we know we play an important role in supporting and creating American jobs,” said Dan Bartlett, Wal-Mart Stores’ executive vice president of corporate affairs.