Trump Defends Tariff Policy, Claims Bezos Removed Tariff Display Plan After Call

President Donald Trump staunchly defended his administration’s tariff policy in a recent interview with NBC News, revealing that he personally intervened with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos regarding a potential plan to display tariff costs alongside product prices on the e-commerce platform. The interview, conducted by "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker, delved into Trump’s direct approach to handling disagreements with business leaders and his perspective on the economic impact of tariffs.

Welker questioned Trump about a phone call he had with Bezos in response to reports that Amazon was considering showcasing tariff-related costs to consumers. She pressed the former president on whether he would "punish CEOs who increase their prices because of tariffs" and whether he would employ similar tactics with other business executives.

Trump confirmed the call with Bezos, describing the Amazon founder as "a very nice guy" with whom he had a "relationship." He stated that he inquired about the reported plan, and Bezos, according to Trump, responded that he "didn’t want to do that" and "took it off immediately."

The former president asserted that Bezos "changed course" after their conversation. When Welker asked if he would use the same approach with other CEOs, Trump responded affirmatively, stating, "Sure, I’ll always call people if I disagree with them."

Trump further elaborated on his willingness to contact business leaders directly when he perceived their actions as "incorrect, wrong, or maybe hurtful to the country." He contrasted his approach with that of his successor, Joe Biden, suggesting that Biden would be less proactive in addressing such issues.

Following the White House’s condemnation of the potential tariff display plan as a "hostile and political act," Amazon denied that it would soon display how much the tariffs would add to the cost of each item for sale on its site. An Amazon spokesperson clarified that the team responsible for their "ultra low cost Amazon Haul store" had considered listing import charges on certain products. However, the spokesperson emphasized that the idea was "never approved and is not going to happen."

Trump defended his tariff policy throughout the interview, characterizing tariffs not as a "tax" but as an "incentive" to encourage companies to invest in the United States by building plants, factories, and offices. He argued that tariffs incentivize domestic production and job creation.

Trump claimed that the financial burden of tariffs is primarily absorbed by companies or foreign countries rather than being passed on to American consumers. He stated that "the country eats the tariff" or "the company eats the tariff," implying that tariffs do not significantly impact consumer prices.

The former president’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about the economic effects of tariffs, with economists and policymakers holding differing views on their impact on trade, prices, and overall economic growth. While some argue that tariffs can protect domestic industries and incentivize local production, others warn that they can lead to higher prices for consumers, retaliatory measures from other countries, and disruptions to global supply chains.

Trump’s direct engagement with business leaders, exemplified by his call with Bezos, reflects his hands-on approach to economic policy and his willingness to intervene in corporate decision-making when he believes it aligns with his administration’s goals. His comments underscore his belief in the effectiveness of tariffs as a tool for promoting domestic economic growth and influencing corporate behavior.

The interview also shed light on Trump’s complicated relationship with the media, particularly his interactions with Jeff Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post. While Trump has often criticized the newspaper’s coverage of his administration, he acknowledged Bezos’ role in addressing his concerns about the potential tariff display plan.

The episode highlights the ongoing debate surrounding tariffs and their economic implications, as well as Trump’s distinctive approach to economic policy, characterized by direct engagement with business leaders and a willingness to challenge conventional economic wisdom.