Economic interests
Tensions around tariffs have gradually fractured Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ interest-based relationship with US President Donald Trump, especially since the start of his second term.
Trump accuses Bezos
Trump accused Jeff Bezos of being “hostile and political” towards his administration after Amazon announced its intention to show the detailed price hikes caused by the Trump administration.
Mostly
Amazon planned to show detailed amounts, allowing consumers to see first-hand that the majority of the price increase on their Amazon shopping list is caused by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
American consumers
When the Trump administration was asked whether Amazon’s initiative seemed to demonstrate that the tariffs were in fact being paid by American consumers, a claim repeated for weeks by Democrats and the countries targeted by these taxes, the question visibly angered the White House.
"This is a hostile and political act by Amazon"
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reacted sharply, accusing Jeff Bezos and Amazon of hostility and political maneuvering: “This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” she said.
Reuters and... chinese propaganda?
Claiming to have just come off a phone call with the President on the subject, Karoline Leavitt said the administration was questioning Amazon’s motives behind the move. She added that this was hardly surprising, relying on a Reuters article to back up her words. Although the Trump administration frequently accuses Reuters and other media outlets of spreading false information, this time it was happy to cite a 2021 article claiming that Amazon had teamed up with a Chinese propaganda organ.
Donald's anger
Following what many described as an angry call from Donald Trump to Jeff Bezos, the latter finally decided not to display the impact of tariffs on products sold by Amazon. You can bet that the Washington Post owner hasn’t said (or written) his last word though…
