Tensions over tariffs have gradually shattered Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’s interest-based relationship with US President Donald Trump, especially since the start of his second term.
White House accuses Amazon of "hostile and political act" after reported plan to display the additional cost of tariffs next to the price of items cnn.it/42AIysC
Trump accused Jeff Bezos of being « hostile and political » toward his administration after Amazon announced its intention to transparently post tariff hikes imposed by the Trump administration.
The platform plans to itemize the amounts, allowing consumers to see first-hand that the majority of the price increase on their Amazon bill is caused by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
When the Trump administration was asked whether Amazon’s initiative seemed to demonstrate that the tariffs were indeed being borne by American consumers, a claim repeated for weeks by Democrats and the countries targeted by these taxes, the question visibly angered the White House.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt reacted sharply, accusing Jeff Bezos and Amazon of hostility and political maneuvering: « This is a hostile and political act on Amazon’s part ».
Claiming to have just returned from a phone call with the president on the subject, Karoline Leavitt said the administration was questioning Amazon’s motives behind the move.
She added that this was hardly surprising, relying on a Reuters article to back up her words.
Although the Trump administration frequently accuses Reuters and other media outlets of spreading false information, this time it was happy to cite a 2021 article claiming that Amazon had partnered with a Chinese propaganda outlet.
