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Amazon is not planning to list added tariff costs next to product prices on its site — despite speculation spanning from a report that claimed the e-commerce giant would soon show new import charges, as well as fiery comments from US President Donald Trump’s White House denouncing such a move.
The Trump administration’s reaction appeared to be based on a misinterpretation of internal plans being considered by Amazon, rather than a final decision made by the company.
Amazon’s Haul service — a recently launched, low-cost storefront — “considered the idea” of listing import charges on certain products, company spokesperson Tim Doyle said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. But this “was never approved and is not going to happen”.
Amazon launched Haul last year to sell electronics, apparel and other products priced under 20 dollars (£14.92), aimed at competing against the success of China-founded rivals such as Temu and Shein.
Earlier on Tuesday, Punchbowl News had reported that Amazon planned to start showing how much of each product’s cost derived from tariffs “right next to” its total listed price, citing an anonymous source familiar with the matter.
While Amazon later confirmed that it would not be listing such added costs, the Trump administration was quick to criticise news of the move early on Tuesday.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Amazon of taking a “hostile and political act” — and further attacked the company by suggesting it was un-American.
“Amazon has partnered with a Chinese propaganda arm,” Ms Leavitt said at a Tuesday briefing with reporters.
It was unclear if the administration had been in contact with Amazon about the company’s response to tariffs — or potential ideas around communicating price hikes with shoppers. At Tuesday’s briefing, Ms Leavitt said she had “just got off the phone with the president about Amazon’s announcement”.
“Jeff Bezos was very nice. He was terrific,” Mr Trump told reporters before leaving the White House for Michigan on Tuesday afternoon.
“He solved a problem very quickly and he did the right thing. He’s a good guy.”
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was one of a handful of powerful, ultra-wealthy tech titans who attended Mr Trump’s inauguration in January — filling some of the most exclusive seats right behind the president.
Whether his relationship with the president has strained since has yet to be seen, and Ms Leavitt declined to comment when asked by reporters on Tuesday.
The tariffs imposed by Mr Trump — and responding retaliation from targeted countries, notably China — threaten to increase prices for both consumers and businesses.