Concerns over tariff transparency have sparked a heated debate in the U.S. following reports of Amazon’s internal discussions about displaying additional costs tied to import duties on product pages. The controversy deepened after former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in April, criticizing the proposal as a “hostile and political act.” Amazon clarified that the idea was merely explored for its budget platform, Haul, and never implemented.
CGTN Stringer’s street interviews in New York revealed broad public support for clearer tariff disclosures. Kateleen Mcdougal, a local teacher, argued tariffs should be itemized like sales taxes: “The government shouldn’t hide where our money goes—it misleads people.” Banker Tim Wallace echoed this sentiment, emphasizing corporate responsibility in pricing transparency.
The debate highlights growing tensions between policymaker priorities and consumer demand for accountability as trade policies reshape global markets. Analysts say such transparency could influence public perception of trade policies’ real-world impacts.
