Trump personally pushed postmaster general to double rates on Amazon, other firms

[Arkansas Granny]

President Trump has personally pushed U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan to double the rate the Postal Service charges Amazon.com and other firms to ship packages, according to three people familiar with their conversations, a dramatic move that probably would cost these companies billions of dollars.

Brennan has so far resisted Trump’s demand, explaining in multiple conversations occurring this year and last that these arrangements are bound by contracts and must be reviewed by a regulatory commission, the three people said. She has told the president that the Amazon relationship is beneficial for the Postal Service and gave him a set of slides that showed the variety of companies, in addition to Amazon, that also partner for deliveries.

Despite these presentations, Trump has continued to level criticism at Amazon. And last month, his critiques culminated in the signing of an executive order mandating a government review of the financially strapped Postal Service that could lead to major changes in the way it charges Amazon and others for package delivery.

Few U.S. companies have drawn Trump’s ire as much as Amazon, which has rapidly grown to be the second-largest U.S. company in terms of market capitalization. For more than three years, Trump has fumed publicly and privately about the giant commerce and services company and its founder Jeffrey P. Bezos, who is also the owner of The Washington Post.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/business/economy/trump-personally-pushed-postmaster-general-to-double-rates-on-amazon-other-firms/2018/05/18/2b6438d2-5931-11e8-858f-12becb4d6067_story.html

In the end, it will be the customer who bears the cost of Trump's grudge against Jeff Bezos and WaPo.

[dalton99a]

1. What a goddamn asshole

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. AGain, if millions of us die from the Ebola he wont let our government study or

work to stop, it will mean nothing

NOTHING to him

NOTHING

So the fact that he would cost us money for his revenge, of course he would do that.
I wish America would start SCREAMING at this fucking TRAITOR

[spanone]

3. the dictator has spoken.

trump thinks he's a fucking king.

[RockRaven]

4. I guess it is good that he's such an oaf, and so ignorant

If he had all the same goals, but was subtle and cunning, we'd be in even more trouble.

[WillowTree]

5. Prime membership charge is going up.

I was notified by Amazon that my Prime membership renewal this August will still be $99, but starting in 2019, the Prime membership renewal will be $119. Increased postal rates are no doubt at least part of the reason.

[Arkansas Granny]

8. Yeah, I got my notice, too. I still consider it a bargain.

[WillowTree]

9. Absolutely.

My boss talked me into joining Prime several years ago and it has saved me so much in terms of time and money, particularly since I have mobility difficulties. I know that some DUers have issues with Amazon and they (Amazon) certainly does have problems that need to be addressed, but for me, Prime just makes life easier.

[dameatball]

6. I'm not sure he can legally do that, but if he can I would think Amazon could sue.

[malaise]

7. I wonder if Amazon refused to ship his shit for free

[obamanut2012]

10. The USPS isn't financially strapped

I am tired of this lie being quoted as true.

[Vinca]

11. Who do you suppose will end up paying the increased fees?

Amazon would only pass along the cost to consumers. Thanks, Don. My taxes have already gone up, I can barely afford to fill up the car and now you want to bleed me for postage.

[kentuck]

12. He's trying to extort them into giving him money.

That's his game.

[Hortensis]

13. Probably. But also, he's never come to terms with

limitations of presidential power that he never imagined, and I suspect some very frustrated tantruming here because he can't control and destroy both at will.

And Bezos has over $100 billion dollars and is far above Trump in economic class. Plus, of course he owns Trump's chief media nemesis, the WaPo. Whatever else he wants, for sure a passionate spiteful need to hurt is in it.