Amazon Denies Plans to Display Tariff Costs Amid White House Criticism

In a recent development, the White House accused Amazon of planning to display additional tariff costs on its product listings—a move labelled as a “hostile and political act” by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The accusation stemmed from reports suggesting that Amazon intended to highlight the impact of President Trump’s new tariffs, which include a 145% levy on Chinese goods and a 10% tariff on imports from other countries.

Amazon promptly refuted these claims, clarifying that there were no approved plans to display such tariff information. The company acknowledged that its subsidiary, Amazon Haul, had internally considered the idea, but it was never implemented or intended for the main platform. Following Amazon’s clarification, President Trump reportedly contacted Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and later commended him for addressing the issue swiftly. 

This incident highlights the heightened tensions between the e-commerce giant and the current administration, particularly as Amazon navigates the challenges presented by the new tariff landscape. While competitors like Temu and Shein have begun displaying import charges to customers, Amazon maintains its stance against such transparency, aiming to manage consumer perceptions amidst rising costs.