1 day Ago By © Mandel Ngan, AFP
Information on tariff costs could have appeared on Amazon Haul, a section of Amazon's website that lists goods costing $20 or less, under plans that the company said were never approved. "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," said Amazon spokesperson Tim Doyle, denying an earlier report by US outlet Punchbowl News.
Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she had discussed with Trump the report which claimed Amazon could show consumers a breakdown of how much tariffs contributed to the overall price of goods. "This is a hostile and political act by Amazon. Why didn't Amazon do this when the Biden administration hiked inflation to the highest level in 40 years?" Leavitt told reporters.
Trump has imposed a tsunami of tariffs on US trading partners, including China which has seen tariff costs rise by 145% since he took office in January. Automakers and others have said new tariffs could drastically hike the cost of consumer goods. Amazon set up Amazon Haul in November.
It allows shoppers to purchase $5 handbags and $10 sweaters from China-based sellers, although they face longer shipping times. But 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, which is set to come into effect on May 2, would impact prices on the site.
Speaking to reporters, Leavitt also cited a 2021 report by Reuters that said that Amazon had partnered with a "Chinese propaganda arm". "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".
In premarket trading Amazon shares were down 2.2% but later rebounded and were trading nearly flat. (FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters).
