White House Criticizes Amazon’s Tariff Cost Display Proposal
In a heated exchange, the White House condemned Amazon for a proposed plan to display the costs of President Trump’s tariffs alongside product prices on its e-commerce platform. During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the move as a “hostile and political act” by the company. She questioned Amazon’s timing, asking why similar actions were not taken when inflation spiked during the Biden administration.
Despite earlier reports suggesting that Amazon was considering the idea, the company clarified that the initiative had never been approved. “It’s not going to happen,” an Amazon spokesperson confirmed. The Amazon Haul section features discounted items, with prices as low as $2.99.
This clash highlights ongoing tensions over the tariffs imposed by Trump, which have faced backlash from various sectors, including the tech industry. Trump’s tariffs, reaching as high as 145% on Chinese imports, have led to price hikes for consumer goods, prompting retailers to rethink their pricing strategies, particularly during events like Amazon Prime Day.
While major tech entities like Amazon, Meta, and Apple have sought to strengthen their relations with the Trump administration through significant investments, they navigate the uncertain waters of tariffs and regulations that impact their business models. For instance, industry groups have warned that broad tariffs could increase prices for essential electronics like smartphones.
Following the White House’s criticism, Amazon’s stock initially dipped but rebounded once the company announced it would scrap the tariff cost display plan. At the close of Tuesday, Amazon’s shares settled slightly lower at $187.39. The White House remains firm in its stance, asserting that tariffs aim to revitalize U.S. manufacturing and mitigate reliance on foreign production.
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