Amazon retreats on tariff cost tag after White House calls it ‘hostile’

Amazon is reportedly backing off its plan to display tariff costs for consumers on its website next to its products, something the White House described as a “hostile act.”

“This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters this week. “Why didn’t Amazon do this when the Biden administration hiked inflation to the highest level in 40 years?”

Amazon’s plan, according to a report from Punchbowl News, would have displayed the amount of money added as a result of the tariffs displayed right next to each product’s total listed price. But a spokesperson for the company claimed Amazon never considered this strategy.

“The team that runs our ultra-low-cost Amazon Haul store has considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products,” the spokesperson told ABC. “Teams discuss ideas all the time. This was never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties.”

Trump currently has 145% tariffs implemented on Chinese imports. Approximately 60% of Amazon’s sales come from smaller, independent retailers who are heavily reliant on imports from countries including China.

“This is another reason why Americans should buy American,” Leavitt said. “It’s another reason why we are onshoring critical supply chains here at home to shore up our own critical supply chain, and boost our own manufacturing here.”

White House is not pleased with Amazon — to say the least. pic.twitter.com/us3IjyST4n

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) April 29, 2025

Trump relieving tariffs for certain industries

President Donald Trump is expected to travel to Michigan Tuesday to relieve U.S. automakers from escalating tariffs. While the 25% tariff on finished foreign-made cars and parts will stay in place, Trump is expected to prevent tariffs from stacking on top of other tariffs, like steel and aluminum.

Reporters at a White House press conference asked whether or not Amazon’s decision to display tariff costs would impact Trump’s relationship with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

“I will not speak to the president’s relationships with Jeff Bezos,” Leavitt said after a reporter asked if Bezos is still a supporter of Trump during a press conference.

Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, were seen having a late-night dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last December. That dinner came shortly after Bezos finalized his move out of Washington to Indian Creek Village—an exclusive area in Miami, Fla. also known as “Billionaire Bunker,” famous for its celebrity residents including Tom Brady, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner.

MyNorthwest and KIRO Newsradio have reached out to Amazon for comment.

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