The White House sharply criticized Amazon on Tuesday, accusing the company of planning to itemize the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs alongside product prices on its platform, as reported by Punchbowl News.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the move as a “hostile and political act” by Amazon, emphasizing the administration’s disapproval during a press briefing.
Leavitt questioned why Amazon had not taken similar actions when inflation spiked to a 40-year high under the Biden administration, stating, “This is another reason why Americans should buy American.”
In the wake of the remarks from the White House, shares of Amazon, which was founded by Jeff Bezos, fell by more than 2% in premarket trading.
Amazon has not yet responded to Finance Newso’s request for comments regarding the situation.
The Trump administration’s fierce response came after Punchbowl News revealed that Amazon intends to disclose to consumers the portion of product prices attributable to tariffs.
According to sources familiar with the plans, this tariff-related cost will appear next to the total price of each item.
During the press briefing, a reporter inquired whether Leavitt and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent agreed that Amazon’s action indicates that American consumers, rather than China, would bear the financial burden of such policies.
Leavitt, freshly off a conversation with the president regarding Amazon’s announcement, took the lead in addressing the question.
Amazon’s approach is not without precedent, as other retailers have similarly begun highlighting how tariffs affect their pricing structures. Notably, fast-fashion companies Shein and Temu have implemented significant surcharges recently, with Temu showcasing an “import charge” that increases item costs by approximately 145% at checkout.
The comments from Leavitt may signal a potential divide forming between Trump and Bezos, who had been attempting to mend fences with Republican leaders since Trump’s re-election.
After experiencing tension in previous years, Bezos expressed optimism regarding Trump’s approaching second term last December, suggesting that the president appeared more composed and self-assured. During the same period, Amazon also made a $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund.
Further scrutiny arose when Bezos reportedly mandated that the Washington Post, which he owns, limit its opinion pieces to those defending “personal liberties and free markets,” a decision perceived as an effort to curry favor with Trump.
When questioned about Bezos’s status as a Trump supporter, Leavitt refrained from commenting directly on their relationship but reiterated her view that Amazon’s actions were politically charged.
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— Finance Newso’s Annie Palmer contributed to this report.
