1. White House Criticism of Amazon’s Tariff Plans
In a press briefing on April 30, 2025, the White House strongly criticized Amazon for reportedly planning to list the added cost of tariffs on its online platform. The move was deemed a “hostile and political act” by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. This followed a report from Punchbowl News, which suggested that Amazon would soon display tariff costs next to product prices to show how Trump’s tariffs are influencing prices.
However, Amazon quickly denied these claims. A spokesperson clarified that while the company had internally considered this idea, it was never intended for the main Amazon site. Instead, it was a discussion point for Amazon’s Haul service, a low-cost storefront, but it was ultimately decided not to proceed with this plan.
2. Tariff Impact on Amazon and U.S. Consumers
The Trump administration’s tariffs, particularly the 145% tariff on China and 10% on other countries, are expected to raise prices for goods sold online, and Amazon is not exempt. With approximately 71% of goods sold on Amazon in the U.S. originating from China, the e-commerce giant will inevitably face price increases. This comes at a time when Amazon’s U.S. revenue has surged to over $600 billion, with third-party sellers—many based in China—making up a significant portion of the product offerings.
For U.S. consumers, the impact of these tariff increases could be substantial. Analysts predict that prices for everyday items, including household goods like laundry detergent and toilet paper, will rise, particularly for products sourced from countries affected by the tariffs. While Amazon has stated that it won’t directly advertise the tariff costs to consumers, other major online retailers are already displaying additional charges, highlighting the far-reaching implications of Trump’s trade policies on the digital economy.
3. The Broader Retail Impact and Consumer Prices
Other online retailers, including Amazon’s competitors like Temu and Shein, have been more transparent about how tariffs are affecting their pricing. Both companies have raised prices and clearly indicated on their websites that tariffs are included in the cost of goods. Temu, for example, lists “import charges” which have significantly raised the prices of some products, while Shein ensures customers that tariffs are included in the checkout price, with no additional charges at delivery.
As these companies adjust their pricing models to account for increased import costs, U.S. consumers are likely to feel the strain. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its U.S. growth projection for 2025, anticipating a slowdown due to the ripple effects of Trump’s tariffs. Inflation is expected to rise, primarily driven by higher prices for imported goods. The U.S. Federal Reserve has also warned of the potential long-term inflationary effects of these tariffs, which may further challenge U.S. consumers’ purchasing power.
