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.”
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