Amazon has placed a last minute bid to get everything on Tiktok, a popular video app. This is because it is approaching the April deadline, where it will be separated from Chinese owners or banned in the US.
People said the various political parties involved in the consultations do not seem to take Amazon bids seriously. The bid came via a letter of offer to Vice President J.D. Vance and Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, according to those who were described on the matter.
The Amazon bid highlights an 11-hour operation in Washington over Tiktok's ownership. Policymakers for both parties have expressed deep national security concerns about China's ownership of the app, and passed the law last year to enforce the sale of Tiktok, which is due to take effect in January.
Despite national security concerns, President Trump, who repeatedly pledged to save the app, delayed enforcement of the law until Saturday, even after being unanimously endorsed by the Supreme Court.
Amazon declined to comment. Tiktok did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Trump was scheduled to discuss Tiktok's fate with Top White House officials on Wednesday. Those familiar with consultations have outlined potential deals that could involve introducing many new US investors, including technology giant Oracle. Private equity company Blackstone, while avoiding official sales. However, it is not clear that such a structure will satisfy the conditions of federal law.
Amazon has some connections to Tiktok. The video app, which counts 170 million users in the US, has become a major hub for retail shopping, with influencers recommending the product to their audience. The company has its own e-commerce business known as the Tiktokshop, but many influencers encourage people to buy products from Amazon. It also offers several technical infrastructure.
Amazon previously tried to create a clone of Tiktok called Inspire within its own app. Internally, it was a well-known initiative, but was widely seen as a failure to attract shoppers. The company removed it from the app this year.
Amazon is not the first retailer to show interest in apps. In 2020, when Tiktok was first pressured to sell to American owners, Microsoft and Walmart bid on the company.
However, Amazon will become the company's most well-known bidder. This has also attracted interest from billionaire Frank McCourt and Jesse Tinsley, founder of Payroll Firm Employer.com.
Talking around the company also invited last minute offers. On Wednesday, a company called Zoop, whose leader includes the founder of the only fan, an adult entertainment site, said it had submitted a bid for Tiktok's US business. Zoop said it had partnered with the Cryptocurrency Foundation about the plan and had been in communication with the White House.
Tiktok claims that the Chinese government is not planning to sell it as it blocks the transaction.
Theodore Schleifer Reports of contributions.
