Senator Warren’s letter to Jeff Bezos questions whether his decision to halt Amazon’s plan to display tariff costs on products resulted from undisclosed promises or favors exchanged with President Trump. This action, following Trump’s complaint, raises concerns about potential corruption related to tariffs and Amazon’s cooperation with the administration. Warren criticizes Amazon for foregoing consumer transparency regarding tariff impacts and seeks clarification on the details of Bezos’ conversation with Trump, including any threats or promises made. A similar letter was sent to Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Read More
The White House’s characterization of Amazon’s decision to transparently display tariff-related price increases as a “hostile act” is, frankly, baffling. The administration’s reaction seems disproportionate and reveals a discomfort with straightforward accountability. It suggests a preference for obfuscation over transparency, a strategy that ultimately undermines public trust.
This labeling of price transparency as a hostile act raises serious questions about the administration’s priorities. Is the goal to keep consumers unaware of the true cost of goods, potentially masking the economic impact of tariffs? This approach seems designed to shield the administration from criticism, preventing the public from directly connecting the tariffs to increased prices.… Continue reading
Amazon briefly considered adding import charges to its ultra-low-cost Haul platform, but ultimately decided against it. This decision followed a news report suggesting Amazon would display tariffs, prompting a negative White House reaction and a personal call from President Trump to Jeff Bezos. The White House’s criticism stemmed from the timing of the reported plan, and ultimately the decision was deemed a “good move” by the Commerce Secretary. The consideration was unrelated to the recent tariff increases, and Amazon is currently assessing the impact of those tariffs on its third-party sellers and overall business.
Read More
Amazon considered, but ultimately rejected, displaying tariff charges on its discount platform, Amazon Haul, a move intended to compete with Temu and Shein. This decision followed a report suggesting Amazon would show tariff costs, prompting strong White House condemnation and a phone call from President Trump to Jeff Bezos. No changes were implemented on Amazon’s main site. The episode highlights the growing consumer visibility of tariff-related price increases in online retail.
Read More
In response to a challenging economic climate and a projected 50% reduction in volume from its largest customer, Amazon, UPS announced a restructuring plan. This plan includes a workforce reduction of approximately 20,000 employees (4% of its total workforce) and the closure of 73 facilities. These changes, effective by June 2025, aim to enhance the company’s efficiency and cost structure. CEO Carol Tomé expressed gratitude to employees while emphasizing UPS’ commitment to navigating the evolving global logistics landscape.
Read More
The People’s Union USA is organizing a weeklong boycott of Amazon, starting March 7th, expanding upon a previous successful 24-hour boycott. This “calculated strike” targets Amazon’s impact on small businesses, worker treatment, and massive profits, urging consumers to avoid all Amazon-owned entities, including Whole Foods, Prime Video, and more. While a previous one-day boycott showed minimal impact on Amazon’s massive sales, the group plans further boycotts of Nestle, Walmart, and General Mills in the coming weeks, aiming to raise awareness and encourage consumers to consider their spending habits. The movement, while not explicitly political, seeks to reclaim economic control.
Read More
In response to ongoing US tariff threats and recent Amazon warehouse closures resulting in significant job losses in Quebec, Montreal has removed Amazon from its list of approved suppliers. Mayor Plante has pledged to prioritize local businesses and explore international alternatives. This decision follows legal action against Amazon by the CSN union and reflects a continued commitment to supporting the local economy. The city is currently reviewing its entire supplier list to identify suitable replacements.
Read More
Amazon will close all seven of its Quebec facilities within the next two months, resulting in the layoff of nearly 2,000 employees. The company claims this decision, impacting its only unionized Canadian workforce, is a cost-saving measure related to a shift back to a third-party delivery model. However, the timing, coinciding with recent unionization efforts at a Laval warehouse, has sparked controversy and accusations of anti-union tactics. The Quebec government has pledged support for affected workers, while the union strongly condemns the closure.
Read More
Amazon’s Quebec operations are ending, marking a significant shift in the company’s delivery strategy. The e-commerce giant is transitioning away from its in-house delivery network in the province. This change will see a return to utilizing third-party logistics providers for package fulfillment and delivery. The reasons behind this decision remain unstated by Amazon.
Read More
Amazon will close seven Quebec sites, impacting nearly 1800 employees, and shifting to a third-party delivery model similar to its pre-2020 system. The company cites a review of operations and claims the decision is unrelated to recent unionization efforts at a Laval warehouse, despite speculation linking the two. Amazon is offering affected workers severance packages including up to 14 weeks of salary and transition support. Intelcom, an existing Amazon subcontractor, is reportedly poised to assume some of the vacated roles.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood