In a forceful response during a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt questioned the motives behind the alleged pricing strategy, implying a political double standard. “If Amazon was truly concerned about transparency, why didn’t they list cost burdens during years of record inflation under President Biden?” she asked, asserting that such an approach during President Trump’s second term appears politically motivated.
The criticism was triggered by media reports that Amazon’s budget-focused storefront, Amazon Haul, internally floated the idea of showing import charges on select products, in light of the Trump administration’s steep tariffs—particularly the newly imposed 145% tariff on Chinese goods.
However, Amazon issued a public statement dismissing the reports. “The team that runs our ultra-low-cost Amazon Haul store considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products. This was never approved and is not going to happen,” the company clarified in an official release.
According to reports from multiple news outlets, President Trump also personally contacted Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to express concern over the proposal. Following their discussion, the President reportedly praised Bezos for resolving the issue promptly.
The political fallout has sparked broader debate over tariff transparency and consumer awareness. While critics of the administration’s trade policies argue that displaying tariffs would help inform shoppers and pressure policymakers, others see such moves as overstepping the bounds of corporate neutrality.
Despite the media storm, Amazon’s stock remained relatively stable, with a temporary dip of just over 2% in early market trading before recovering by midday.
The episode highlights ongoing friction between major tech companies and the Trump administration, particularly as the President doubles down on tariffs and economic nationalism in his second term.
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