The White House has strongly criticised Amazon after reports that the company plans to show customers how much tariffs are adding to product prices. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it “a hostile and political act,” according to CNN.

The move, first reported by Punchbowl News, would allow Amazon shoppers to see the portion of an item’s price that comes from tariffs a change that could make President Donald Trump’s trade policies more visible to the public.

“This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” Leavitt said, as quoted by CNN. She said she had spoken to President Trump about the issue earlier that morning. “It’s another reason why Americans should buy American,” she added, also referencing efforts to bring manufacturing back to the US.

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Leavitt also brought up a past Reuters report from 2021, which linked Amazon to a “Chinese propaganda arm.” “This is another reason why we are onshoring critical supply chains here at home,” she said.

According to CNN, shares of Amazon dropped by more than 1 per cent on Tuesday morning after the remarks.

When asked what this meant for Trump’s relationship with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Leavitt didn’t give a clear answer. Bezos has tried to improve ties with Trump during his second term, including attending dinners at the White House and donating $1 million to Trump’s inauguration.

Despite Trump recently praising Bezos — saying in an interview with The Atlantic that “he’s 100 percent. He’s been great”. CNN reports that Bezos’ net worth has taken a major hit this year, largely due to the impact of Trump’s tariffs.

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