Despite what was only a consideration at the time, Karoline Leavitt called Amazon’s examining of how pricing can be made clear “ a hostile and political act”

During her last White House press briefing some hours ago, Karoline Leavitt was asked by a journalist: “Amazon will soon display a number next to the price of each product that shows how much the Trump tariffs are adding. Isn’t that a perfect demonstration that it’s the American consumer who is paying for these policies?” He was reacting to reporting from independent news site Punchbowl News that Amazon “will soon show how much Trump’s tariffs are adding to the price of each product”, citing someone “familiar with the plan”. It was not a definitive at the time that Amazon was going ahead with that. The question posed to Ms Leavitt was a fair one.

“I just got off the phone with the president about Amazon’s announcement,” Ms Leavitt told the room of reporters. “This is a hostile and political act by Amazon.” As the loudest in the Trump echo chamber, it was not surprising that she had said that. The relationship between the Trump administration and Amazon, particularly its founder Jeff Bezos (also the owner of The Washington Post), has been marked by significant tension, and that is known. Ms Leavitt took this as opportunity to attack Amazon and the aggressive clap back on that rostrum aligns with the communication style favored by her boss Donald Trump. Later, she held a printout that showed a photo of Mr Bezos, as if her audience knew him not, and declared that “Amazon has partnered with a Chinese propaganda arm” to punch harder.

Ms Leavitt took this as opportunity to attack Amazon and the aggressive clapback on that rostrum aligns with the communication style favored by her boss

For Ms Leavitt, the question from the journalist could be personal. Last month, also at a White House press briefing, an AP reporter had asked her if she had ever paid tariffs. This came after she sang the typically Trumpian tune: “Tariffs are a tax hike on foreign countries that, again, have been ripping us off. Tariffs are a tax cut for the American people.” In disbelief and visibly exasperated, he rejoined, “I’m sorry. Have you ever paid a tariff? Because I have. They don’t get charged on foreign companies. They get charged on the importers.” Indignant, Ms Leavitt hit back: “I think it’s insulting that you’re trying to test my knowledge of economics and the decisions that this president has made. I now regret giving a question to the Associated Press.”

It is possible that Ms Leavitt has paid tariffs on the many China-made outfits she has been wearing (such as the fuchsia Ann Taylor jacket she donned this time) to host the press briefings, but has been unaware of it. (Tariffs on Chinese goods have been in place since Mr Trump’s first term when he initiated the trade war with China in 2018.) Yet, she would not entertain that possibility or allow herself to discuss it. Her reaction—rather than addressing the economic reality of tariffs—turned the exchange into a testy personal confrontation, revealing a defensive posture and a reluctance to engage in substantive discussion. She chose to be insulted, to be outraged. By framing the question as doubt of her economic awareness and grasp, Leavitt shifted the focus away from the policy implications of Trump’s tariffs and onto a personal exchange.

Karoline Leavitt at the press briefing holding up an image of Jeff Bezos as if no one knew him. Screen shot: msnbc/YouTube

The aggressive reaction to Amazon essentially showing the amount of tariff that their customers might have to pay soon baffled. The e-commerce giant was contemplating a commercial decision. There was nothing hostile or political in the consideration, yet Ms Leavitt made it appear as if Amazon’s potential action was an attack on the administration she fronts. What Amazon purported to do is no different from a price tag on products in many stores that state clearly prices before a sales tax and after. Amazon might have desired to show that they have not arbitrarily increased prices. Tariffs, especially harsh tariffs such as the 145 percent slapped on China, will necessitate a price hike.

Karoline Leavitt’s sharp response to the journalist’s reasonable question could reflect her fear that showing how tariffs impacts goods sold would contradict her earlier insistence that countries like China pay the tariffs the U.S. imposes. Or even reiterate who ultimately bears the burden of tariffs—customers. The on-and-off nature of the tariffs implemention are frustrating enough. Amazon’s plan, if put in place, would expose the disconnect between the administration’s rhetoric and the reality of tariff costs, with the possibility of political cost too. It leaves one to wonder if Karoline Leavitt’s reaction was political theatre to deflect criticism, rally support, or create a narrative of victimhood.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Joins The Attack

Marjorie Taylor Greene, too, seizes the opportunity to join the fray. Screen shot: @mtgreenee/X

On X, Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene gleefully participated in the takedown of Amazon. She wrote two posts. On the first, she said: “We will use Amazon tariff tracker to avoid buying Chinese products!!!” But that was not enough for her. She added another post: “On second thought, Amazon’s tariff tracker will help Americans avoid buying goods from China which will actually make Trump’s tariffs even more effective.” More effective in making goods that Americans require dearer than they needed to be? Ms Greene was not clear on that. Nor did she say why she must “avoid buying Chinese products” other than it has to be done.

Ms Greene is known for her inflammatory remarks about China, even wanting to “kick out” Chinese nationals in the U.S. who are, according to her, “loyal to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)”. In 2021, she said on the right-wing network Real America’s Voice: “They would be gone. I don’t care who they are”. Ms Greene has never clarified that nothing she owns and wears are Chinese-made. As The New York Times reported three days ago, “It’s hard to imagine an American home without Chinese products.” It is unlikely that Marjorie Taylor Greene, even with her anti-China rhetoric, has totally rid her entire life of products from China. Many are already calling her a hypocrite.

Update (30 April, noon): The increased scrutiny pressured Amazon to clarify their position. In a statement quoted by the American media, it said that “listing import charges on certain products” was considered, but it was “never approved and is not going to happen”. While Amazon’s clarification is important, Karoline Leavitt’s initial reaction played a significant role in escalating the situation and creating a narrative of conflict.

Photo (top): Chin Boh Kay