In a recent NBC News interview, former President Donald Trump spoke about his tariff policy and mentioned that he would reach out to business leaders, including Jeff Bezos, if he disagreed with them on any issues. When asked by “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker about possible repercussions for CEOs who raise prices because of tariffs, Trump acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
Welker pressed him on his communication with Bezos, who, according to Trump, is “a really nice guy.” Trump recalled that Bezos had quickly acted to remove certain pricing strategies when they discussed it. This led Welker to inquire if Trump would use similar strategies with other executives, to which Trump affirmed that he often calls people when he disagrees with their actions.
During the interview, Trump expressed that he believes in addressing issues directly, stating, “If I think someone is doing something wrong… I call.” He contrasted this with President Biden, suggesting that he would be more proactive in such situations.
Last week, amid discussions about Amazon displaying tariff costs alongside product prices, the company denied reports of such a plan, calling the potential move “hostile” and politically motivated. An Amazon spokesperson explained that the idea was not approved and would not be pursued.
Trump reiterated his view of tariffs not as taxes but as incentives to foster investment in the U.S. He emphasized that while some may misunderstand the implications, he believes that companies typically absorb tariffs rather than passing the costs on to consumers.
