White House Slams Amazon’s Tariff Transparency Move as ‘Hostile Political Act’

By Evans Momodu, published 15:42

The White House criticised Amazon’s plan to show Trump-era tariffs on product listings, calling it a hostile and political move. Here's what it means for consumers, Bezos, and U.S.-China trade.

The White House sharply criticised Amazon after reports emerged that the retail giant intends to make U.S. tariffs visible on product listings — a move officials labelled as politically charged and antagonistic.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, flanked by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, called Amazon’s reported decision “a hostile and political act.” She confirmed discussing the issue directly with President Donald Trump.

The controversy stems from a Punchbowl News report stating that Amazon will soon show the exact cost impact of U.S. tariffs — particularly Trump’s steep 145% tariffs on Chinese imports and a 10% minimum tax on goods from other countries — directly alongside product prices. The transparency could make the real-world effects of the administration’s trade policies more evident to American consumers.

As of Tuesday morning, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) had not issued a comment on the report. The company's stock fell around 1% in early trading following the news.

Competing platforms such as Shein and Temu, which source most of their inventory from China, have already modified their checkout processes to reflect increased import charges. Temu, for example, has added a visible import fee at checkout.

Adding fuel to the criticism, Leavitt cited a 2021 Reuters report alleging Amazon collaborated with a Chinese government-affiliated group to suppress negative reviews of President Xi Jinping’s published works on its Chinese platform. She argued that this incident underscores the importance of supporting U.S.-made goods and re-establishing domestic supply chains.

“It’s yet another reason we are investing in onshoring vital supply chains and rebuilding American manufacturing,” Leavitt said.

Asked about the implications for Trump’s relationship with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Leavitt declined to comment. Bezos has made recent efforts to align more closely with the administration — congratulating Trump on his re-election and even attending a White House dinner.

Despite a growing rapport, Bezos has taken a financial hit in 2025. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his net worth has dropped by $30 billion this year, due in part to Trump’s tariff policies and broader market volatility.

Amazon has also made political overtures, donating $1 million to Trump’s 2025 inaugural fund and backing a documentary project centred on First Lady Melania Trump.

President Trump recently praised Bezos in The Atlantic, saying: “He’s 100 percent. He’s been great.”
Source: CNN 
Image: The Hill