Donald Trump personally phoned Amazon founder Jeff Bezos after it emerged the US President was reportedly “very p*ssed off” with the 61-year-old business giant, from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Donald Trump described Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as “a good guy” today – despite reported friction just hours earlier.
The US President was allegedly “very p*ssed off” with the businessman as Amazon had planned to list added tariff costs next to product prices. This was described as “a hostile and political act” by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt but, following Mr Trump’s personal phone call with Mr Bezos, 61, the tech giant has made a U-turn.
Speaking after Amazon confirmed no tariff costs will be added, Mr Trump, 78, said: “He’s a good guy” in reference to Mr Bezos. He added: “Jeff Bezos was very nice, he was terrific, he solved the problem very quickly and he did the right thing. He’s a good guy.”
It was understood Amazon, which Mr Bezos founded in Bellevue, Washington, in 1994, intended to show American consumers the cost impact of Mr Trump’s sweeping tariffs on goods imported from countries, such as China. Yet, Ms Leavitt accused Amazon of acting out of partisan intent and she questioned the timing of the announcement.
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But yesterday, a spokesman for Amazon confirmed: “The team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products. This was never approved and (is) not going to happen.”
The brief statement came after Mr Trump, who himself has history in business having been president of his family’s real estate business for years, held a phone call with the Amazon boss.
Two senior White House officials had told CNN Mr Trump was initially dissatisfied with Amazon’s proposal. One aide said: “Of course he was p***ed… Why should a multibillion dollar company pass off costs to consumers?”
Their comments were echoed by Ms Leavitt who, in a press conference earlier this week, said Mr Trump’s message on the issue was clear. She told reporters: “This is a hostile and political act by Amazon.
“It’s not a surprise because, as Reuters recently wrote, Amazon has partnered with a Chinese propaganda arm. So this is another reason why Americans should buy American.”
Mr Trump and Mr Bezos, both billionaires, have had their differences over the years. Mr Bezos has spoken out against Mr Trump in the past — and vice versa. However, Mr Bezos changed his tune in December last year – weeks before Mr Trump was about to return to power.
Speaking in December, father-to-four Mr Bezos said: “What I’ve seen so far is he is calmer than he was the first time and more settled. You’ve probably grown in the last eight years. He has too. He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help do that, I’m going to help him.”