By Ethan Brooks,
In an exclusive interview aired on NBC’s Meet the Press this past Sunday, former President Donald Trump revealed new details about his approach to business dealings and tariffs, specifically regarding his recent conversation with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. This exchange, along with Trump’s broader economic policies, sheds light on his ongoing efforts to influence major corporations and how he plans to address issues surrounding tariffs.
Trump’s remarks come after Amazon was reported to be considering adding tariff charges on certain products sold on its platform, a move tied to the Trump administration’s decision to impose a hefty 145% tariff on imports from China. According to Punchbowl News, Amazon intended to pass some of these additional costs onto consumers, an approach that drew the attention of the former president.
Trump, who had a phone conversation with Bezos about this very issue, shared that the Amazon founder had initially considered listing the charges but was quick to reverse course after the discussion. “He’s just a very nice guy,” Trump remarked, noting the amicable relationship he now shares with Bezos—one that contrasts sharply with the tense interactions they had during Trump’s first presidential term. Trump emphasized that when he disagrees with corporate decisions, especially when those decisions might hurt the American consumer or economy, he isn’t afraid to speak up. “I’ll always call people if I disagree with them,” he asserted.
The former president made it clear that he views his approach as part of a broader strategy to ensure American businesses operate in a way that benefits U.S. consumers, even if that means confronting CEOs directly. “If I think that somebody’s doing something that’s incorrect or maybe hurtful to the country, I’ll call,” he said, before adding that current President Joe Biden would not take such a proactive stance.
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The tariffs that have dominated Trump’s economic policy discussions are designed to incentivize American companies to build more factories and manufacturing facilities within the United States. Trump framed these tariffs not as a “tax” on consumers but rather as an economic strategy to encourage domestic production. “The country eats the tariff. The company eats the tariff. And it’s not passed along at all,” Trump said, reflecting his belief that tariffs can be an effective tool for reducing reliance on foreign imports.
However, the reality of tariffs on consumer goods has already begun to impact U.S. retailers, with major companies like PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble and smaller online stores like Temu warning of rising prices. Larger corporations, including online retail giants such as Temu, have started to introduce “import charges” to offset the tariffs, which has sparked concerns about the rising costs of goods for American consumers.
In the interview, Trump also addressed concerns over the potential for shortages or price increases in the wake of his tariffs. When asked about his past remarks on children’s toys potentially becoming more expensive due to tariffs, Trump didn’t back down. He suggested that children could make do with fewer toys, referencing a remark he made during a Cabinet meeting where he said, “Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls.”
While some critics have interpreted these comments as a sign that tariffs could cause price hikes and product shortages, Trump defended his stance, arguing that many consumer goods from China are unnecessary or “junk” and should not be prioritized. “We don’t have to waste money on a trade deficit with China for things we don’t need,” he concluded, continuing to champion his administration’s economic policies as a necessary move for the future of the country.
The tension between Trump’s ambitious tariff strategy and the practical challenges faced by U.S. businesses continues to be a hot-button issue. As major retailers wrestle with the impact of tariffs on their bottom lines, Trump’s continued intervention into corporate decisions, including his direct communication with CEOs, underscores his unwavering belief in a more controlled and less dependent American economy.
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Trump’s phone call with Bezos and his broader remarks on tariffs will no doubt continue to stir debate over the effectiveness of his economic policies. Whether his strategy will lead to long-term benefits or unforeseen consequences remains to be seen. For now, Trump’s direct approach to business is something that both allies and critics will closely watch in the coming months.
