Amazon Backtracks on Tariff Hike Reports

Amazon swiftly moved to downplay reports that it was preparing to display tariff-related price increases on its main website, following criticism from the White House. The controversy stemmed from reports suggesting Amazon would highlight the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on imported goods, a move Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized as “a hostile and political act.”

However, Washington Post reporter Jeff Stein reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Amazon representatives now state displaying these tariff costs was “never under consideration” for the primary Amazon site. The company clarified that the idea was limited to Amazon Haul, its budget-focused online store, where listing import duties on select products had been explored.

Amazon released a statement confirming this, explaining that the team behind Amazon Haul had considered listing import charges, but that this was never intended for the main Amazon platform and no changes were implemented across any of its properties.

The situation highlights the sensitivity surrounding pricing and political messaging, particularly for a company as prominent as Amazon. While the company maintains it never planned to broadly display tariff costs, the initial reports and subsequent White House response demonstrate how quickly such issues can escalate. As of this writing, Amazon owner Jeff Bezos has not publicly commented on the matter. It’s worth noting the distinction Amazon draws between a potential feature for a discount-focused store and a change to its core retail experience – a strategic move likely intended to mitigate further political fallout.