Editor:
Recently, a report circulated indicating Amazon might separately state the tariff charge on items sold. In response, the Trump administration’s press secretary disparaged Amazon, saying Amazon was motivated by Chinese propagandists and such actions would be “hostile and political” (“The Real Cost of Eggs,” May 1). In reality, Amazon had only considered this for Haul, its new web market for low-cost items, but no official plan had ever been made.
President Trump let reporters know he had contacted Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and concluded, “Bezos did the right thing.” So why would Trump care so much?
The answer lies in the fact that the president is still trying to downplay who actually pays the tariffs. He brags how the tariff dollars will make America rich but fails to explain the money is actually collected from U.S. importers, not from exporting countries like China, and the extra cost is likely passed on to the consumer.
If the tariff charges were shown, then every time a purchase was made through Amazon, it would directly tie the fee to Trump’s tariffs. Not a good look. Furthermore, if such a practice became widespread, consumers would begin to realize just how often the tariffs were affecting them weekly.
The story may not end here. If retailers don’t begin showing these charges, I can imagine some consumer groups might come out with tariff cost listings themselves. Revealed either way, U.S. consumers would easily see that which Trump would rather keep hidden under the rug: the true cost of his tariffs to them.
Sherman Schapiro, Eureka
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This article appears in Summer of Fun 2025.