White House slams Amazon over display of tariff costs
The White House has criticized Amazon for its decision to disclose extra tariff costs during the checkout process on its platform. White house Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described this move as a “antagonistic and political action,” arguing that it contradicts President Trump’s claims that the recently imposed tariffs would not lead to increased consumer prices. Leavitt questioned why Amazon chose to highlight these costs rather than when inflation rates reached their highest in 40 years under the Biden management. She further cited Amazon’s past collaboration with a Chinese propaganda outlet as a reason for American consumers to support domestic products instead.alongside Amazon, other e-commerce retailers like Shein and Temu have also increased prices in response to tariffs. Additionally, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised the administration’s economic policies during the same press briefing.
White House slams Amazon over display of tariff costs: ‘Hostile and political action’
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt excoriated Amazon over its decision to display the costs tariffs add to consumer purchases on its website.
The added “import charges” on Amazon’s websites conflict with President Donald Trump‘s claims that his “Liberation Day” tariffs, many of which are on a 90-day pause, would not be passed on to the public through higher prices or inflation.
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“This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” Leavitt told reporters Tuesday morning on the 100th day of Trump’s second administration.
“Why didn’t Amazon do this when the Biden administration takes inflation to the highest level in 40 years?” she continued. “And I would also add that it’s not a surprise, because as Reuters recently wrote, Amazon has partnered with a Chinese propaganda arm. So this is another reason why Americans should buy American.”
Consumers who purchase on Amazon will see the customary shipping and sales tax prices along with the “import charges” before checking out.
Amazon is not the only company that has begun showing added tariff prices to consumers as they make purchases.
Shein and Temu, popular discount e-commerce retailers based in China, have both raised prices in response to Trump’s tariffs, which have hit China the hardest.
Average beauty and health prices for Shein increased by 51% while average home and kitchen products and toys increased by 30%, according to a Bloomberg analysis. Women’s clothing increased by 8%.
Temu has begun adding “import charges” of roughly 145% in response to the tariffs, in a similar move to Amazon.
Both companies face a 120% tariff after the United States ended the “de minimis” exemption, a tariff loophole, for small packages from China and Hong Kong beginning on May 2. Trump also hit China with a 145% tariff rate despite the 90-day pause for most other U.S. trade partners.
Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon and owns the Washington Post, was among the billionaire donors to fund Trump’s inauguration and attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Yet when Leavitt was questioned about Bezos’s current relationship with Trump, the press secretary demurred.
“Look, I will not speak to the president’s relationships with Jeff Bezos, but I will tell you that this is certainly a hostile and political action by Amazon,” she said.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the administration’s economic policies during the briefing.
“Since Jan. 20, interest rates, mortgage rates are down, gasoline and energy prices are down,” he said.
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