WSJ Board Blasts Trump For “Bullying” Amazon

From the Wall Street Journal editorial board:

President Trump says his tariffs may raise enough revenue to replace the income tax, so why is he afraid to let Americans see what they’re paying? Instead of owning its policy, the White House has bullied Amazon to keep quiet about what it will cost.

The spat started Tuesday morning when Punchbowl News reported that Amazon planned to show shoppers how much of their bill is owed to the tariffs. Put a $140 vacuum cleaner in your cart, for example, and a little label might read “Tariff Cost: $55.” The idea is to let shoppers know that Washington, not Amazon, has raised their prices.

The public could have used Amazon’s price transparency. Tariffs are taxes, and it’s helpful to know how policy choices affect final prices. Some shoppers might say the additional cost is worth it to support Mr. Trump’s policy. But there’s no denying that they’re paying, and everyone is better off knowing how much. Consumers are already feeling the tariff pain, whether or not retailers quantify it on their websites. White House denials won’t change that, but repealing the tariffs would.

Read the full article.

“Trump vs. Amazon’s Brilliant Tariff Idea” https://t.co/hWBoL9v2a7 pic.twitter.com/ZZeN27XlH8

— Scott Lincicome (@scottlincicome) April 30, 2025