Amazon has made a last-minute bid to acquire all of TikTok, the popular video app, as the US government approaches an April deadline to force the Chinese-owned company’s sale. The bid was submitted via an offer letter addressed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The move comes amid growing national security concerns over the app’s Chinese ownership, with policymakers in both parties expressing deep fears about the potential for data sharing with Beijing. Amazon’s bid highlights the 11th-hour maneuvering in Washington as lawmakers push for a sale of TikTok that was set to take effect in January.
Amazon has ties to TikTok, having provided technical infrastructure and allowed influencers to promote products on its platform, which counts 170 million US users. However, it had previously tried to create a rival app called Inspire, but it failed to attract shoppers.
Other companies have also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok, including Microsoft, Walmart, billionaire Frank McCourt, and Jesse Tinsley, the founder of Employer.com. A last-minute bid from Zoop, which has partnered with a cryptocurrency foundation, was also made, although its plans are unclear.
TikTok has maintained that it is not for sale, citing opposition from the Chinese government, which would block any deal. President Trump had previously delayed enforcing a law requiring TikTok’s sale, but now faces pressure to take action before the April deadline.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/business/media/amazon-tiktok-bid.html