President’s press office on April 29, 2025, sharply criticized Amazon’s reported proposal to display import-tariff surcharges alongside product prices, calling the move “hostile and political.” During the daily White House briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre denounced the idea as an “unnecessary politicization of consumer pricing,” noting that Amazon had not similarly highlighted tariff impacts during earlier inflation spikes .
Sources within the administration revealed that Amazon considered appending a line item to show the 25% levies imposed on certain imports under previous trade policies. Industry insiders estimated such surcharges could add dozens of dollars to individual items. Amazon quickly refuted the reports, stating that “no such feature was ever approved for the main retail platform” and that discussions had been limited to a small-scale pilot for internal testing .
Critics argue that broadcasting tariff costs risks confusing customers and undermining broader economic goals. Commerce officials warned that the proposed labels could disincentivize purchases, complicate supply chains, and single out one company unfairly. Bloomberg analysts noted that such transparency measures, if enacted, would escalate tensions between major tech firms and the White House amid ongoing debates over “America First” trade strategies .
In response, Amazon affirmed its commitment to regulatory compliance and refuted any plan to politicize pricing. A company spokesperson emphasized that Amazon has “always absorbed necessary costs to maintain competitive pricing” and that no changes to customer-facing price displays are forthcoming . The incident underscores the delicate balance between corporate transparency, trade policy, and consumer interests in today’s complex global market.
