The White House is pushing back against a reported new Amazon feature that would show customers how much extra they’re paying due to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump — calling it a “hostile and political act.”
During a press briefing Tuesday morning, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed a question about a Punchbowl News report claiming Amazon was preparing to add a line item at checkout displaying the tariff-related costs on certain products. Leavitt, speaking alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, criticized the idea as politically motivated.
“Why didn’t Amazon highlight inflation costs during President Biden’s term?” Leavitt asked rhetorically, implying a double standard. She described the reported move as “hostile” and questioned the company’s motives.
However, later in the day, Amazon pushed back against the report. In a statement to The Washington Post, the company clarified that a feature showing import charges was considered only for a limited category of ultra-low-cost products on its Amazon Haul storefront — not across the entire platform. “Nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties,” the company said.
Leavitt also referenced an old Reuters article from 2021, alleging that Amazon had previously partnered with a Chinese propaganda outlet. She cited it as further cause for concern but did not clarify whether that partnership is ongoing.
Treasury Secretary Bessent, meanwhile, defended the administration’s tariff policy, predicting economic pain for China. “They could lose 10 million jobs because of these tariffs,” he said, suggesting the strategy would pressure China into economic concessions.
When asked whether Amazon founder Jeff Bezos still supports President Trump, Leavitt declined to comment. Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, has had a historically strained relationship with Trump.
Leavitt closed by encouraging Americans to buy domestically made goods to strengthen the U.S. supply chain — a frequent theme in the administration’s economic messaging.
