Amazon has confirmed it has no plans to display tariff-related costs next to product prices on its platform, countering a report that triggered swift criticism from the White House, reports AP.
The e-commerce giant's statement followed a Punchbowl News report suggesting Amazon would show how much of a product’s price is due to import tariffs. The report cited a source familiar with Amazon’s internal deliberations, claiming the plan was being considered for Amazon’s budget storefront, Haul.
However, Amazon spokesperson Tim Doyle clarified that while the idea was briefly discussed for the Haul platform, it was never approved or implemented. “This was never approved and is not going to happen,” Doyle said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Despite this, the Trump administration reacted strongly to the initial report. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the supposed move, calling it “hostile and political,” and even accused Amazon of working with “a Chinese propaganda arm.”
President Donald Trump reportedly phoned Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to express concern. Later in the day, Trump took a conciliatory tone, telling reporters: “Jeff Bezos was very nice. He solved the problem quickly and did the right thing.”
The issue underscores ongoing tensions over tariffs introduced by the Trump administration and the impact on U.S. businesses and consumers. Companies like Amazon are under pressure to remain transparent with customers while navigating rising import costs.
Competitors such as Temu and Shein have already begun to disclose tariff-related charges. Temu now includes import charges in its pricing for many items, while Shein assures customers that all tariffs are included in the listed price.
Experts say the incident highlights how companies are adjusting to global trade uncertainty. Rob Lalka, a professor at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, noted that the visibility of tariffs in pricing could influence consumer sentiment. “Even if Amazon isn’t listing tariffs, the conversation about how companies price goods is political in itself,” he said.
As the trade climate remains volatile, the spotlight on tariffs continues to grow, prompting both business strategy shifts and political debate over how costs are communicated to American consumers.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
