Amazon Reiterates No Plans to Disclose Tariff Impact Following White House Criticism

Amazon has confirmed that it will not display the effects of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on its product pricing. This decision follows recent criticism from the White House, which characterized the company as 'hostile.'

In a statement released on Tuesday, an Amazon spokesperson clarified that there were no intentions to show added tariff costs alongside product prices on its platform. This announcement comes after reports suggested that the e-commerce giant was considering such a move in light of the tariffs placed on various trading partners, including significant charges on imports from China.

According to Tim Doyle, the Amazon spokesperson, the idea was never formally approved and is not set to occur. He acknowledged that the concept had been discussed by the team overseeing Amazon's low-cost store, particularly regarding select products.

Amazon's sourcing strategy heavily involves products from China, which have faced tariffs as high as 145%. These tariffs have been a point of contention in the ongoing trade discussions and have raised concerns among consumers about potential price hikes.

During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that Amazon had collaborated with a 'Chinese propaganda arm,' a claim that underscores the tense relationship between the company and the current administration.

However, later on the same day, President Trump publicly commended Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chair of Amazon, for addressing issues swiftly and effectively. Trump characterized Bezos as a 'good guy' and highlighted their recent conversations, noting that their relationship has evolved positively since the earlier days of his presidency.

This shift comes after a period of significant tension during Trump's first term when he frequently criticized Bezos and Amazon. In contrast, Bezos attended Trump's inauguration ceremony in January, signaling a potential thaw in relations between the tech giant and the administration. Furthermore, Amazon contributed $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund, further illustrating the complexities of their interactions.

In an interview with a British publication earlier this year, Trump remarked on how his perspective on Bezos and other tech entrepreneurs has changed, moving from a state of 'bitter enemies' to a more conciliatory stance.

Notably, during the last election cycle, Bezos made the unprecedented decision for the Washington Post, which he owns, not to endorse any candidate, a departure from its 36-year tradition of supporting a political figure.