White House Accuses Amazon of ‘Hostile’ Act Over Tariff Price Policy

The White House was not happy after it was reported on Tuesday that retail giant Amazon’s will display tariff-based cost increases next to the price of products on their website, calling the decision “a hostile and political act by Amazon.”

Amazon — whose founder, Jeff Bezos, has been cultivating a cozy relationship with President Donald Trump — largely denied the report later on Tuesday. “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 not going to happen,” the company said in a statement, per CNN.

Punchbowl News reported that Amazon, which moves hundreds of billions in retail volume across the globe, planned to begin displaying a notice next to the prices of products letting them know if the item has gotten more expensive due to global tariffs instituted by Trump, and by how much. Amazon is not the only retailer who may be looking to ensure that they don’t shoulder the blame — both financially and publicly — for the fallout of the president’s economic policy. Chinese retailer Temu has begun adding import charges to goods that in some cases are doubling the price of items for American consumers. 

The original Punchbowl report contained sparse details, and when asked about it during a press briefing, White Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt practically pushed aside her guest — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — to respond. “This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” Leavitt declared. “Why didn’t Amazon do this when the Biden administration hiked inflation to its highest level in 40 years?” 

Leavitt went on to accuse Amazon of having “recently … partnered with a Chinese propaganda arm,” citing a 2021 incident in which the company blocked customers from leaving reviews for a book written by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and engaged with the Chinese government to create a “China Books” section for their website. “This is another reason why Americans should buy American, [and] another reason we are onshoring critical supply [chains.]” Leavitt added. 

The White House’s “rapid response” X account also shared a 2021 article about Bezos and Xi, in an apparent smear attempt following the news.

A reporter asked Leavitt if the news meant that Bezos was “no longer a Trump supporter.” Leavitt responded that she would “not speak to the relationship,” but that Amazon’s decision was “certainly a hostile and political strategy by Amazon.” 

Bessent then jumped in to add that reducing inflation remained a priority for the administration and that they expect further decreases — not increases — in consumer prices over the coming months.

Despite Bessent’s continued defense of the Trump tariffs, and praise for the president’s supposed skillful negotiations, no trade deals have yet to be announced. In fact, last week China forcefully denied reports that they are negotiating a tariff deal with the United States, and the days before Trump’s self-imposed 90-day tariff pause expires are trickling away with little gains to show for it. 

Shortly after the press conference, a spokesperson for Amazon told The Washington Post that the price notice was never planned for standard retail, but that “the team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store has considered listing import charges on certain products.”

“This was never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties,” the spokesperson said.