WASHINGTON — Amazon is drawing sharp criticism from the Trump administration over a reported move to display the cost of tariffs on product listings — a decision the White House called “a hostile and political act.”
According to a Punchbowl News report, the ecommerce giant will soon begin showing U.S. customers exactly how much of an item’s price is due to import tariffs, amid an escalating trade war and rising concerns over inflation. Amazon has not publicly confirmed the change.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the move in a fiery Tuesday briefing. “This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” she said. “Why didn’t Amazon do this when the Biden administration hiked inflation to the highest level in 40 years?”
Amazon has denied the reporting. A spokesperson for Amazon said that the company had contemplated a similar concept for its site, Amazon Haul. “Teams discuss ideas all the time,” the spokesman, Ty Rogers, said in a statement. He said it was never under consideration for the main Amazon site, adding: “This was never approved and is not going to happen.”
The administration has pushed back hard as businesses, including Amazon, warn about the consequences of Trump's sweeping tariff policies. His administration recently announced new tariffs as high as 145% on certain Chinese imports — a major concern for Amazon, which sources roughly 60% of its sales through independent sellers, many of whom rely on Chinese supply chains.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also spoke against Amazon’s plans, arguing that the platform unfairly singles out one policy while ignoring cost impacts from other government actions, such as regulation. “The big tax on consumers that goes unnoticed is regulation,” Bessent said. “We are deregulating and bringing that down.”
According to data from SmartScout, over 900 Amazon products have seen price increases since April 9, averaging a 29% rise. In that analysis, Amazon claims that fewer than 1% of items saw price hikes.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy acknowledged sellers' tough position, telling CNBC that while Amazon will work to keep prices down through inventory strategies and supplier negotiations, many third-party sellers are likely to pass costs directly to consumers.
This standoff highlights a growing divide between corporate America and Trump’s protectionist trade policies. Leaders from Walmart, Target, and Home Depot have urged the administration to reconsider its approach, warning of strained supply chains, empty shelves, and higher consumer prices.
Polls show that Americans are increasingly worried about the economic fallout. A recent AP-NORC survey found that half of U.S. adults believe Trump’s trade policies will increase prices significantly, with 60% expressing concern over grocery costs and economic recession.
Still, Trump and his advisers are standing firm. Leavitt pointed to the administration's focus on “onshoring” supply chains and boosting domestic manufacturing as a long-term solution. “This is another reason why Americans should buy American,” she said.
Updated at 11:40 am 4.29.2025 with Amazon's statement on the reporting.
