Amazon Makes Late Bid to Acquire TikTok Amid U.S. Pressure
The timing of Amazon's offer coincides with a looming deadline over TikTok's ownership in the U.S.
Amazon has entered the race to acquire TikTok, the Chinese social media platform whose future in the United States hangs in the balance.
The tech giant has reportedly submitted a last-minute bid for TikTok, as indicated by sources familiar with the matter, just days ahead of an April 5 deadline that dictates whether the app must separate from its Chinese ownership or face a ban in the U.S.
The proposal was reportedly communicated in a letter addressed to U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
However, the White House is said to view the Amazon offer skeptically, according to knowledgeable sources.
With a proposal now on the table, although Amazon has declined to comment, political pressure is intensifying in Washington.
Other major companies, including Microsoft, Blackstone, and Oracle, are also exploring options regarding TikTok.
Industry reports suggest that a potential arrangement may involve certain U.S. firms taking equity stakes in TikTok, potentially averting a complete sale of the application.
However, it remains uncertain whether this alternative would meet the legal requirements stipulated by lawmakers.
Amazon's bid highlights last-minute actions in Washington concerning TikTok's future.
Both Democrats and Republicans have voiced significant concerns about national security risks associated with its Chinese ownership.
Last year, Congress approved legislation mandating the sale of the app, with enforcement expected to begin in January.
Furthermore, one of former President Donald Trump’s election promises was to protect the app in the U.S., despite ongoing national security concerns.
Upon taking office, Trump delayed the app's ban in the country to Saturday, even after the Supreme Court upheld the ban unanimously.
Trump is scheduled to meet with senior White House officials on Wednesday to discuss TikTok’s future, which currently boasts 170 million users in the U.S.
Amazon already has connections with TikTok, as the video-sharing platform serves as a significant source of retail sales through influencer recommendations.
While the company operates its own e-commerce through TikTok Shop, many influencers encourage audiences to purchase products on Amazon, earning commissions from transactions.
Additionally, Amazon provides technical infrastructure to TikTok.
In 2020, in response to mounting pressure for TikTok to be sold to U.S. owners, Microsoft and Walmart made an offer for the company.
The platform has also attracted interest from other figures, including billionaire Frank McCourt and Jesse Tinsley.
The tech giant has reportedly submitted a last-minute bid for TikTok, as indicated by sources familiar with the matter, just days ahead of an April 5 deadline that dictates whether the app must separate from its Chinese ownership or face a ban in the U.S.
The proposal was reportedly communicated in a letter addressed to U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
However, the White House is said to view the Amazon offer skeptically, according to knowledgeable sources.
With a proposal now on the table, although Amazon has declined to comment, political pressure is intensifying in Washington.
Other major companies, including Microsoft, Blackstone, and Oracle, are also exploring options regarding TikTok.
Industry reports suggest that a potential arrangement may involve certain U.S. firms taking equity stakes in TikTok, potentially averting a complete sale of the application.
However, it remains uncertain whether this alternative would meet the legal requirements stipulated by lawmakers.
Amazon's bid highlights last-minute actions in Washington concerning TikTok's future.
Both Democrats and Republicans have voiced significant concerns about national security risks associated with its Chinese ownership.
Last year, Congress approved legislation mandating the sale of the app, with enforcement expected to begin in January.
Furthermore, one of former President Donald Trump’s election promises was to protect the app in the U.S., despite ongoing national security concerns.
Upon taking office, Trump delayed the app's ban in the country to Saturday, even after the Supreme Court upheld the ban unanimously.
Trump is scheduled to meet with senior White House officials on Wednesday to discuss TikTok’s future, which currently boasts 170 million users in the U.S.
Amazon already has connections with TikTok, as the video-sharing platform serves as a significant source of retail sales through influencer recommendations.
While the company operates its own e-commerce through TikTok Shop, many influencers encourage audiences to purchase products on Amazon, earning commissions from transactions.
Additionally, Amazon provides technical infrastructure to TikTok.
In 2020, in response to mounting pressure for TikTok to be sold to U.S. owners, Microsoft and Walmart made an offer for the company.
The platform has also attracted interest from other figures, including billionaire Frank McCourt and Jesse Tinsley.
Translation:
Translated by AI
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
