Amazon Denies Plans to Display Tariff Costs Alongside Product Prices

Amazon has clarified that it is not moving forward with plans to display tariff-related costs next to product prices on its platform, countering earlier reports and public statements from the White House that criticized the alleged move.

The e-commerce company responded Tuesday after Punchbowl News cited an unnamed source claiming that Amazon was preparing to disclose how much of each product’s price was due to tariffs. In a swift rebuttal, Amazon said that its Haul storefront — a new budget-focused product line targeting items under $20 — briefly considered the idea but never moved forward with implementation.

“There was internal discussion, but it was never approved and is not going to happen,” said Tim Doyle, an Amazon spokesperson, in a statement.

Haul, launched last year, is Amazon’s competitive answer to fast-growing Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein, which have made significant inroads in the U.S. market by offering low-cost consumer goods.

Despite Amazon's clear denial, the Trump administration weighed in, treating the report as an official action. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Amazon of making a “political statement” and went so far as to frame it as “un-American,” referencing the company’s alleged ties to Chinese interests. She did not provide details about any formal discussions between Amazon and the administration.

The strong reaction drew attention to growing political scrutiny over U.S. trade policy and how companies communicate price impacts to customers. While the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are aimed at recalibrating trade relationships, businesses and consumers alike have felt the pressure through rising prices. Economists have also raised concerns that the prolonged and unpredictable nature of these tariffs could exacerbate inflation and limit spending power.

Meanwhile, some of Amazon’s rivals — including Temu and Shein — have already adjusted their pricing to account for increased costs, passing the burden on to shoppers.

As for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, his presence at President Trump’s inauguration was noted as a gesture of neutrality in earlier years. Whether that relationship has changed remains uncertain, as officials declined to comment.

The speculation over tariff transparency and Amazon’s quick dismissal highlights how sensitive the pricing conversation has become, especially when mixed with political narratives and trade policy shifts.

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