Amazon denies tariff pricing plan after White House calls it "hostile and political"

Amazon now denies reports it planned to list how much tariffs increased products' prices after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the move as a "hostile and political act."Why it matters: The reported plan further suggests a growing rift between businesses and President Trump, who has made aggressive tariffs and a global trade war central to his economic agenda.Trump's massive 145% tariffs on Chinese imports will hit Amazon hard because 60% of its sales come from smaller, independent retailers often heavily reliant on imports.The latest: Amazon spokesperson Tim Doyle told Axios in an updated statement after its initial denial that "the team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products."But he added, "This was never approved and is not going to happen."Amazon had been considering showing the tariff costs on its Haul platform as a way to reflect changes in the "de minimis" exemption, which previously left import duties off goods under $800, per a source familiar with the situation.Trump lifted that exemption as part of his tariff plan, which could dramatically increase the cost of goods from Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu.Driving the news: Punchbowl reported Tuesday that Amazon would soon show how much of an item's cost is due to tariffs next to the total listed price.CEOs of three of the nation's biggest retailers (Walmart, Target and Home Depot) also recently warned Trump that his policies could hurt supply chains, empty shelves and increase prices, Axios' Marc Caputo and Ben Berkowitz reported.That pressure coincided with the White House softening its tone on trade talks with China.What they're saying: "Why didn't Amazon do this when the Biden administration hiked inflation to the highest level in 40 years?" Leavitt questioned.She declined to discuss the president's relationship with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos but reiterated, "This is certainly a hostile and political action by Amazon."Zoom out: Amazon's signature "Prime Day" event could see a pullback from sellers who previously offered China-made goods, Reuters reported.Sellers who spoke with Reuters said they planned to save inventory this year to sell later at a full price as the cost of importing goods soars.An Amazon spokesperson told Axios it is having a "strong response" from sellers to this year's Prime Day.Yes, but: It's not just the one discounted event that's sent sellers scrambling as they work to move production to more mildly tariffed markets and temporarily hike prices in the meantime, CNBC reports.Sellers face the difficult decision of passing costs along to customers or shrinking their profits.According to e-commerce software company SmartScout, 900 products on Amazon saw increased prices since April 9, with an average increase of 29%.An Amazon spokesperson told CNBC that covers just a "tiny fraction" of items sold and, per its review of the research, fewer than 1% "of the items studied saw an increase in price."Catch up quick: Amazon CEO Andy Jassy acknowledged that dilemma when speaking with CNBC earlier this month, saying third-party sellers may "pass that cost on" to consumers.He said the company would "try and do everything we can to keep prices as low as possible for customers," such as through forward inventory buys and term renegotiations. But Jassy predicted that sellers will ultimately pass the cost on.Go deeper: What to know about Amazon Haul, the Temu and Shein competitorEditor's note: The headline and lede of this story have been updated with a response from Amazon.Axios' Ben Berkowitz contributed reporting.

Comments

World news

China finally reveals how Covid-19 started – and it's all America's fault

Comments

Similar News

Two dead after Peruvian navy ship hits oil platform in Amazon River

Jeff Bezos is set to sell nearly $5 billion worth of Amazon stock amid Trump’s tariffs

Jeff Bezos to sell up to $4.75bn in Amazon stock over next year

Hope floats in the Amazon as Bacuri, a young manatee, fights for survival

Amazon Haul: What to know about Amazon's Shein and Temu competitor

Amazon to report earnings as investors weigh effects of Trump’s tariffs

UPS reveals it is cutting 20,000 jobs amid decrease in Amazon deliveries

Trump hails Bezos for scrapping plan to show Amazon shoppers tariff price hikes on products

White House rips ‘hostile and political’ move by Bezos’ Amazon to display how much costs are for tariffs

Amazon and Argos drop Hisense 4K TV to cheapest ever price and it's 'incredible value'

Barry Didcock: Netflix and Amazon now making better Scottish drama than BBC or STV

Major update after 'Brit' dragged into street and burned alive in horror Amazon lynching

The 'British' man lynched and burned alive in the Amazon... and the dark series of events that led to the 'English teacher's' horrific demise

Barry Didcock: Netflix and Amazon now making better Scottish drama than BBC or STV

Ecuador's deadly paradise where 'Brit was lynched and burned alive': Brutal gangs hide in Amazon rain forest eco parks on Colombian border which tourists are warned not to enter

British man 'lynched and burned alive by mob in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest'

British man burnt to death in the Amazon after locals accuse him of murder

Samsung knocks £330 off Smart TV in Easter sale beating Amazon's deal

Amazon shoppers praise Bosch pressure washer with 9k five-star reviews for 'blitzing grime'

Amazon’s satellite launch designed to compete with Musk’s Starlink cancelled

World news

China finally reveals how Covid-19 started – and it's all America's fault

Mothers with newborns forced to leave children behind in India as diplomatic row with Pakistan deepens

The little-known disorder that causes RFK Jr.’s raspy voice

Labor wins Australia election as ‘Trump factor’ swings voters

Tourist taking selfie with ‘fake’ crocodile realises his mistake the hard way

Reform UK in bid to shed ‘boys’ club’ image with election of high-profile women

A watershed moment for the NHS this week – but did anyone actually notice?

Ibiza and Majorca holiday flights cut demanded by islands' government in war on tourists

'The truckers are scrambling': Trump's tariffs hit drivers, L.A. port workers hard

Fired federal prosecutor claims ex-Fatburger CEO's 'smears' reached White House

Tariffs on car parts entering the US come into force

Tunisia jails ex-prime minister on terrorism charges

Captive-bred axolotls thrive in Mexican wetlands, researchers find

After Leading a Liberal Comeback, Carney Hits the Ground Running

Cardinal Parolin, Leader of Papal Conclave, Is Also a Top Candidate

As China Looks for Way Out of U.S. Trade Deadlock, Fentanyl Could Be Key

These Contentious Issues Could Determine Who Becomes the Next Pope

Terrifying moment plane crashes at iconic Riviera Country Club in shock emergency landing as golfers left stunned

Prince Andrew MUST ‘come clean and confess’ to Virginia Guiffre’s family after tragic death, demands lawyer

What the Tariffs Have Done to a Fledgling Small Business

Putin army horror as soldier goes on shooting rampage in Russian village

'There is nothing wrong with taking a stand against Israel's genocide and occupation'

Russian drone attack injures 47 in Ukraine’s second largest city Kharkiv

Pakistan test fires ballistic missile as tensions with India spike after Kashmir gun massacre

Why some ‘frustrated’ NDP voters flipped to Conservatives in the election

On the Brink: Online trading groups filling an ‘overwhelming’ gap for families

The urgent problem of intimate partner violence and how New Brunswick plans to respond

Horse with cognitive disorder defies odds thanks to generosity of strangers

Quebec passengers stuck on Porter Airlines plane for 7 hours recall ‘nightmare’ experience

Recording reveals details about IDF arrest of Gaza paramedic after aid attack

No, we don't want to be in your workout video

Woman killed in Thessaloniki bomb explosion as police probe Greece bank attack plot

Why Andrea Jenkyns’s success is a risk for Farage

100,000 people give up wild swimming due to Britain’s polluted rivers

I smacked my son – now, years later, I wish I hadn’t

Five people survive 36 hours in alligator-infested swamp after plane crash

America’s Vietnam War Opponents Who Fled to Canada Reflect on the Past and Future

Russians face soaring bills as Kremlin drains economy to fund war says ex-banking chief

Panic in Ukraine as second largest city on fire after Putin's overnight attack

Letters: Want rid of SNP and Labour? Learn a lesson from England

Camley's Cartoon on Trump's Turnberry hopes

Will Anthony Albanese be first Australian PM in 21 years to witness two consecutive election wins?

Woman dies in Greece when bomb explodes in her hands

Trump posts image of himself as pope on Truth Social. Critics erupt

Conclave: What goes on behind closed doors to elect a new pope

Woman killed in Greece after bomb explodes in her hands during attempted attack

Worshipers stampede at a temple in India, killing at least 6 and injuring dozens

Workers install Sistine Chapel stove where ballots are burned during papal conclave

Woman dies when bomb she was carrying explodes in Greek city, police say

South Korea’s main conservative party nominates Kim Moon Soo as its presidential candidate

Russian drone attack wounds at least 47 in Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv

Woman killed in explosion when bomb she was carrying went off in her hands

Woman dies in Greece after bomb explodes in her hands

Democrats waited for Trump to crumble. Now they’re starting to fight back

Ukrainian troops to join UK's VE Day procession as Putin's war rages on

Nuke strike could plunge US into blackout like Spain at ANY minute – weapon Trump needs now to protect 340million people

Woman, 38, killed after bomb explodes in her hands in massive blast in Greece as cops probe plot to blow up bank