Donald Trump attacks Amazon for not paying 'internet taxes' in rant at Washington Post

Donald Trump has launched a strange Twitter attack on the Washington Post and Amazon - accusing them of not paying “internet taxes”.

Without explaining what he meant by “internet taxes”, a form of tariff that does not appear to exist, the President also accused the newspaper of producing fake news.

“The AmazonWashingtonPost, sometimes referred to as the guardian of Amazon, not paying internet taxes (which they should) is FAKE NEWS,” he said.

Mr Trump’s remarks left many puzzled. The Associated Press said the White House declined to answer questions about the statement.

It said Amazon.com collects state sales taxes in all 45 states with a sales tax and the District of Columbia, according to its website.

State governments have sought to capture sales taxes lost to internet retailers, though they have struggled with a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that retailers must have a physical presence in a state before officials can make them collect sales tax.

The news agency said Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Washington Post spokeswoman Shani George declined comment.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos bought the Post in 2013. He made the purchase as an individual and Amazon.com Inc. was not involved.

Mr Bezos was one of a number of technology executives who visited the White House recently for a strategy session on modernising government.

Mr Trump has taken shots at Mr Bezos and Amazon on Twitter before. In 2015, he wrote that Mr Bezos bought the newspaper "for purposes of keeping taxes down at his no profit company”.