Amazon has denied a report that it planned to disclose to customers on its website the cost that US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump were adding to its products, after the White House criticised the idea.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she had discussed with Trump a report by Punchbowl News about plans to disclose tariff costs, and his message about it was: “This is a hostile and political act by Amazon.”
Amazon said on Tuesday it never considered listing tariffs on its main retail site and nothing was implemented on any company site.
“The team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products. This was never approved and (is) not going to happen,” a company spokesperson said.
Trump has imposed a tsunami of tariffs on US trading partners, including ones on China rising by 145 per cent since Trump took office.
Car makers and others have said new tariffs could drastically hike the cost of consumer goods.
Amazon set up Amazon Haul in November, to compete against Chinese-founded rivals like Temu and Shein, which could be effected by tariff changes.
This allows shoppers to purchase $US5 ($A7.80) handbags and $US10 jumpers from China-based sellers, although they face longer shipping times.
Trump this month signed an executive order that closes a trade loophole known as “de minimis” that has allowed low-value packages from China and Hong Kong to enter the United States free of duties.
The order takes effect on May 2.
Reuters reported on Monday some third-party merchants who previously sold China-made goods during Amazon’s premier July Prime Day shopping event are sitting it out this year or reducing the amount of discounted merchandise they offer.
Leavitt on Tuesday cited a 2021 report by Reuters that the tech company had partnered with a “Chinese propaganda arm.”
“So, this is another reason why Americans should buy American,” Leavitt said, underscoring the Trump administration’s efforts to shore up critical supply chains and boost domestic manufacturing.
Amazon in 2021 said it “complies with all applicable laws and regulations, wherever we operate, and China is no exception”.
The White House tweeted a link to the Reuters report earlier on Tuesday.
The White House did not immediately comment after Amazon denied the report.
with AP
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