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Trump's comments on Twitter reiterated criticisms he made on
Thursday about the company. He may have been prompted by a
report from news website Axios saying he was obsessed with
Amazon and considering ways to rein in the company's power,
possibly with federal antitrust or competition laws.
Investor concerns about regulatory action sent Amazon shares
down 3.3 percent over Wednesday and Thursday, knocking $24
billion off the company's market value.
"While we are on the subject, it is reported that the U.S. Post
Office will lose $1.50 on average for each package it delivers
for Amazon. That amounts to Billions of Dollars," Trump tweeted
on Saturday.
A Citigroup analysis last year showed that if the U.S. Postal
Service (USPS) reallocated costs to account for the growing
volume of packages it delivers, it would cost $1.46 more to
deliver each package. Federal regulators, which review contracts
made by USPS, have not raised any issues with the terms of its
contract with Amazon.
"If the P.O. 'increased its parcel rates, Amazon’s shipping
costs would rise by $2.6 Billion'," Trump tweeted, although it
was not clear what report he was citing. "This Post Office scam
must stop. Amazon must pay real costs (and taxes) now!"
A White House spokeswoman said on Thursday the administration
has no Amazon-related action at this time.
Trump also accused the Washington Post, owned privately by
Amazon Chief Executive and founder Jeff Bezos, of being a
"lobbyist" for Amazon.
The newspaper, a frequent target of Trump's ire, won a Pulitzer
Prize last year for its critical investigation of Trump's
donations to charities.
Amazon declined comment. The Washington Post did not immediately
reply to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Bill Rigby; Editing by Bill Trott)
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