Amazon has walked back from reported plans to show the cost of President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods at the checkout, following a direct call from Trump to founder Jeff Bezos and a sharp rebuke from the White House.
According to a report from Punchbowl News, Amazon had considered listing how much of a product’s price was due to Trump’s new 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports. The extra cost was allegedly going to appear next to the total price on the site—effectively spotlighting the consumer burden of the ongoing trade war.
But that idea quickly disappeared after the White House labelled it a “hostile and political act”. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing: “Why didn’t Amazon do this when the Biden administration hiked inflation to the highest level in 40 years?”
President Trump, marking his first 100 days in office, was reportedly “pissed” about the idea, according to CNN, and called Bezos directly. Shortly after, Amazon reversed course.
“He solved the problem very quickly and he did the right thing,” Trump told reporters, softening his tone. “He’s a good guy.”
Amazon spokesman Tim Doyle told The Washington Post—owned by Bezos—that the proposal was “never a consideration for the main Amazon site” and had only been loosely explored for the company’s discount platform, Haul. “Even that proposal was never approved and not going to happen,” he added.
Amazon shares, which had dipped earlier in the day, rebounded to $187.80 in New York trading after the company denied the plans.
The row underscores the tense political climate around Trump’s aggressive trade policy, which includes 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports and has prompted retaliatory 125 per cent levies from Beijing. While the Trump administration insists China will bear the brunt of the economic pain, critics argue that US consumers will ultimately foot the bill.
When asked whether Amazon’s reported move highlighted that tariffs were hurting Americans more than China, Leavitt responded: “This is another reason why Americans should buy American.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the administration’s line: “The tariffs are unsustainable for China. The onus is on Beijing to back down.”
Amazon, which relies on Chinese sellers for more than half its third-party marketplace, is already facing cost pressure and seller uncertainty. Reports suggest that many vendors are pulling out of Amazon’s Prime Day in July, citing surging import costs.
Meanwhile, other e-commerce giants are more transparent about the impact of tariffs. Chinese platforms Shein and Temu have both added large surcharges at checkout, with Temu now displaying a 145 per cent “import charge” per item.
Despite producing a documentary on Melania Trump in what some see as a charm offensive, Amazon remains in the White House’s crosshairs.
“This is certainly a hostile and political action by Amazon,” Leavitt concluded, dismissing any suggestion that relations with Bezos have thawed.
