US President Donald Trump and Amazon owner Jeff Bezos have reportedly had a heated phone call after the billionaire’s online shopping powerhouse, Amazon, considered listing the cost of tariffs on products sold on its site.
The White House on Tuesday spoke out about “a hostile and political act by Amazon”, following reports that Mr Bezos was going to feature a new display on his online site highlighting the increase in price on goods following Mr Trump’s tariff announcements.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt even held up a photo of Mr Bezos while discussing Amazon’s alleged intentions.
Following the bizarre incident, Amazon said on Tuesday it never considered listing tariffs on its main retail site and nothing was implemented on any company site.
“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,” a company spokesperson said.
“Of course he was pissed,” CNN reported an anonymous official close to Mr Trump saying.
Mr Trump spoke from the White House lawn shortly after the comments were made by Ms Leavitt, however, spoke highly of Mr Bezos after having a call with the Amazon owner.
“Jeff Bezos was very nice,” Mr Trump said.
“He was terrific.
“He solved the problem very quickly.
“Good guy.”
Mr Trump has imposed a tsunami of tariffs on US trading partners, including on China, where they have risen by 145 per cent since Trump took office.
Car makers and others have said new tariffs could drastically hike the cost of consumer goods.
Amazon set up Amazon Haul in November to compete against Chinese-founded rivals like Temu and Shein, which could be affected by tariff changes.
This allows shoppers to purchase $US5 ($A7.80) handbags and $US10 jumpers from China-based sellers, although they face longer shipping times.
This month, Mr Trump signed an executive order that closed a trade loophole known as “de minimis,” which allowed low-value packages from China and Hong Kong to enter the United States free of duty.
The order takes effect on May 2.
Reuters reported on Monday some third-party merchants who previously sold China-made goods during Amazon’s premier July Prime Day shopping event are sitting it out this year or reducing the amount of discounted merchandise they offer.
Ms Leavitt on Tuesday cited a 2021 report by Reuters that the tech company had partnered with a “Chinese propaganda arm.”
“So, this is another reason why Americans should buy American,” Ms 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”.
– with AP and Reuters
