In a significant escalation of tensions between the U.S. government and Amazon, the White House has condemned the e-commerce giant’s recent decision to display tariff costs on product price tags. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on April 29, 2025, that President Donald Trump views Amazon’s move as a “hostile and political act.” 

Amazon’s initiative to include tariff expenses directly on product listings aims to provide consumers with greater transparency regarding price increases resulting from the administration’s tariff policies. However, the White House interprets this action as a direct challenge to its trade agenda.

“This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” Leavitt stated during a press briefing" 

Implications for Consumers and Sellers

Amazon’s decision comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s implementation of sweeping tariffs on imported goods, including a baseline 10% tariff and higher rates for specific countries. By highlighting these additional costs, Amazon aims to inform consumers about the direct impact of trade policies on product pricing.

Third-party sellers on Amazon, particularly those importing goods from countries like China, have expressed concerns over the increased financial burden. Some sellers are considering raising prices or withdrawing from major sales events to mitigate losses.