Amazon has announced that it will start displaying the added costs of President Trump’s tariffs on products sold through its platform. This decision has drawn criticism from the Trump administration, which labeled the move as “hostile and political.” The announcement was reported by Punchbowl News, highlighting Amazon’s plan to show the tariff costs next to the total price of items.
During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed disapproval of Amazon’s decision. She mentioned that she had spoken with President Trump about the issue, emphasizing the administration’s belief that this act was politically motivated. Leavitt questioned why Amazon did not take similar actions when inflation surged under the Biden administration, which has reached its highest level in four decades.
Leavitt also referenced a 2021 Reuters report that indicated Amazon had collaborated with a Chinese propaganda organization, suggesting that this partnership influenced the company’s stance on tariffs. She argued that Americans should support domestic products instead, highlighting the importance of strengthening American manufacturing and supply chains.
Economists have raised concerns that Trump’s tariffs on China primarily burden American consumers, as over 70% of products sold on Amazon are sourced from China. These items are subject to a hefty 145% tariff. Recently, Trump hinted at a potential easing of the trade conflict with China, stating that tariffs would decrease significantly but remain in place.
Interestingly, Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, has shown a more favorable attitude toward Trump in recent months. After Trump’s election, Bezos dined with him at Mar-a-Lago and even contributed $1 million to the president’s inauguration. However, Bezos has faced criticism from the left for making changes to The Washington Post, which he owns, and for suggesting a shift towards hiring more conservative voices in the opinion section.
As Amazon prepares to implement this new pricing display, the implications for consumers and the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China remain significant topics of discussion.