WSJ Tech News Briefing
TNB Tech Minute: Amazon, White House Tangle Over Showing Tariff Fees
Apr 29, 2025
Amazon faces scrutiny for possibly revealing tariff costs at checkout, stirring debate with the White House. Meanwhile, Spotify celebrates impressive user growth, navigating a tough economy with optimism. In the coffee world, Starbucks tests innovative technology to slash wait times and enhance the customer experience.
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Quick takeaways
- Amazon's proposal to display tariff fees during checkout sparked political backlash, revealing tensions between the company and the White House.
- Spotify's user growth is fueled by strategic spending cuts and successful price increases, showcasing resilience in an uncertain economic climate.
Deep dives
Amazon's Tariff Impact Display Consideration
Amazon contemplated showing the effects of tariffs during the checkout process on its budget site, Haul. However, this proposal was met with backlash, as the White House deemed it hostile and political. Reports indicate that President Trump personally reached out to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to express concerns over the idea. Ultimately, Amazon clarified that the concept was not approved and would not be implemented, as the company seeks to maintain low prices despite existing tariffs on imports from China.
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