On this special episode of the GeekWire Podcast, we break down a public clash between Amazon and the White House over tariffs, transparency, and politics.

After a report from Punchbowl News suggested Amazon would start displaying the cost of President Trump’s tariffs on product prices, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a “hostile and political act” during a press briefing — saying she had just spoken to the president about it.

Amazon responded by clarifying that the idea had come from a small team behind its Amazon Haul discount storefront but was never approved and “not going to happen.” Meanwhile, CNN reported that Trump personally called Jeff Bezos to complain.

Related links and content

GeekWire: ‘Not going to happen’: Amazon responds to White House barb over purported tariff transparency plan

Punchbowl News: Amazon to display tariff costs for consumers

Reuters, 2021: Amazon partnered with China propaganda arm

CNN's Alayna Treene on X: "Scoop: Trump called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos Tuesday morning to complain about reports that his company was considering displaying the cost U.S. tariffs next to prices for certain products on its website, two senior White House officials told @CNN."

Amazon statement: "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.”

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With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop

 

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