While President Trump took on Amazon on Twitter this week, his officials at the US Chamber of Commerce refused to be drawn into such combat. The Chamber argued in a statement that it is “inappropriate for government officials to use their position to attack an American company”.

The full quote from Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer, US Chamber of Commerce, reads: “It’s inappropriate for government officials to use their position to attack an American company. The U.S. economy is the world’s most powerful because it embraces the free enterprise system and the rule of law, whereby policy matters are handled through recognized policymaking processes. The record is clear: Deviating from those processes undermines economic growth and job creation.”

The statement did not expressly name Trump or Amazon though observers have cottoned onto its timing as being something to do with the spat taking place.

President Trump tweeted in late December: “Why is the United States Post Office, which is losing many billions of dollars a year, while charging Amazon and others so little to deliver their packages, making Amazon richer and the Post Office dumber and poorer? Should be charging MUCH MORE!”

On Tuesday this week (3 April), the President was returned to the topic, tweeting: “I am right about Amazon costing the United States Post Office massive amounts of money for being their Delivery Boy. Amazon should pay these costs (plus) and not have them bourne by the American Taxpayer. Many billions of dollars. P.O. leaders don’t have a clue (or do they?)!”

Be thankful for adults being around at some levels of the US Federal government…