Amazon (AMZN) , the largest online retailer in the world, is staring at another significant threat to its business after generating increased sales and profits during the first few months of the year.
In its first-quarter earnings report for 2025, Amazon revealed that its sales in the U.S. increased by 8% year-over-year, while operating income in the region spiked by about 13%.
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The positive results come as many consumers across the country are starting to tighten their spending amid concerns about President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Tariffs are taxes companies pay to import goods from overseas, and they are often passed down to consumers through price hikes.
Related: Amazon faces massive boycott threat from consumers
Amazon’s increased sales and profits also come after it faced a weeklong boycott in March from consumers, which was organized by The People’s Union USA, for allegedly exploiting its workers, harming small businesses, firing employees for organizing unions, monopolizing industries, using loopholes to avoid paying taxes, and violating the privacy of its customers.
Amazon parcels are prepared for delivery.
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Amazon has another pressing issue on its hands
Despite Amazon’s recent increase in profits, The People’s Union USA is making it loud and clear that it isn’t backing down. The group has organized yet another Amazon boycott, which is set to kick off on May 6 and end on May 12.
In a recent video posted on Instagram, The People’s Union USA founder John Schwarz said that this boycott “means more than ever before,” flagging that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos recently made an agreement with Trump not to list tariff costs next to item prices on Amazon.
“Jeff Bezos just said that he would start listing tariff costs next to the item prices on Amazon so customers could see what they’re really paying, and that’s okay,” said Schwarz. “That was a little transparency, a little truth, but the White House called it ‘hostile.’ The president himself made a call, and just like that, Bezos crumbled, he backed down, he bent the knee, and this is what we’re up against, a billionaire who doesn’t pay his fair share in taxes, a billionaire who manipulates the markets, silences sellers and flaunts his obscene wealth while Americans struggle to stay afloat.”
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On April 2, Trump announced a 10% “baseline” tariff on all countries importing goods to the U.S., with roughly 60 countries seeing higher tariff rates, in an effort to wean the country off of reliance on imported goods.
However, on April 9, Trump changed his mind and enforced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs on all countries (except China), dropping them to a universal rate of 10%. He also unexpectedly hiked tariffs on China to 145%.
In an interview with CNBC last month, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy warned that third-party sellers on Amazon may pass the extra costs that tariffs may bring onto customers.
“I’m guessing that sellers will pass that cost on, I think they’ll try, and I understand why,” said Jassy. “I mean, depending on which country you’re in, you don’t have 50% extra margin that you can play with. So I think they’ll try and pass the cost on.”
The People’s Union USA is urging consumers to boycott all Amazon-owned entities such as Amazon Fresh, Amazon Prime Video, Whole Foods, Twitch, Audible, etc.
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“This isn’t about individual sellers or warehouse workers,” said Schwarz. “This is for every single person in this country. It’s about standing up to the corporations that prop up corrupt power and then hide behind it.”
More companies face boycotts from consumers
Amazon isn’t the only company The People’s Union USA has targeted. Earlier this year, the group organized boycotts aimed at Walmart and General Mills, and a 24-hour “economic blackout” that targeted all large corporations.
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The group’s website claims that large corporations have “driven up prices, underpaid their workers, and outsourced jobs while raking in record profits,” which is the motivation behind these boycotts.
“Our mission is simple — unite everyday Americans against the greed and corruption that’s kept us divided, distracted, and struggling for decades,” said The People’s Union USA on its website.
The group is also organizing a second weeklong Walmart boycott, which is set to begin on May 20. It is also planning boycotts aimed at Target and McDonald’s in June.
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