The White House criticised Amazon on April 29, 2025, labelling it a “China-aligned company” after a Punchbowl News report claimed the e-retailer planned to add a tariff surcharge label to products, highlighting costs from new U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the move a “hostile, political act,” questioning why Amazon did not act similarly during Biden-era inflation. She discussed the issue with President Donald Trump, who announced significant tariffs on Chinese goods on April 2 to address trade imbalances.
White House blasts Amazon over tariff surcharge label: ‘This is a hostile and political act’ https://t.co/70YLWeZnpy https://t.co/HkpxFODkaf
— New York Post (@nypost) April 29, 2025Amazon swiftly denied the report, with spokesperson Tim Doyle telling The New York Post, “We never considered listing tariffs on our main retail site, and nothing was implemented.” Doyle clarified that while the Amazon Haul store team briefly explored listing import charges, the idea was not approved and will not proceed.
The controversy follows price hikes on nearly 1,000 Amazon products since mid-April, averaging 30% increases, driven by tariffs impacting items like electronics and apparel, according to SmartScout’s analysis.
White House accuses Amazon of "hostile and political act" after reported plan to display the additional cost of tariffs next to the price of items https://t.co/71Loyslkp3 pic.twitter.com/6uTKBfjgM8
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) April 29, 2025The dispute coincides with a warming relationship between Trump and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, whom Trump recently praised for aligning company policies with his administration’s values. Bezos’ decision to block a Washington Post endorsement of Kamala Harris and overhaul its opinion page further signals this shift. As trade tensions with China escalate, Amazon’s pricing and labelling decisions remain under scrutiny, reflecting broader economic challenges.
