In a dramatic turn of events, Amazon has reportedly submitted a last-minute bid to acquire TikTok, according to The New York Times. The bid comes just days before the April 5 deadline set by the U.S. government for TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a potential nationwide ban.
Despite the bold move by Amazon, insiders cited by the Times suggest that key stakeholders are not taking the tech giant’s offer seriously. The lack of traction could be due to ongoing negotiations with other potential buyers who have already been involved in discussions for several weeks.
Trump Administration Eyes TikTok Deadline
President Donald Trump is set to meet with officials on Wednesday to assess TikTok’s status and discuss final steps. Earlier this week, Trump stated confidently that a deal would be finalized before the deadline. The administration has been vocal about national security concerns surrounding TikTok’s Chinese ownership and its data practices.
Multiple Bidders in the Mix– Amazon
Amazon isn’t the only player eyeing TikTok’s U.S. operations:
- Andreessen Horowitz, a leading venture capital firm, is reportedly in talks to join an Oracle-led consortium, which includes several U.S. investors.
- Blackstone, one of the world’s largest private equity firms, is also said to be considering an investment in ByteDance’s non-Chinese shareholders to support the acquisition bid.
- Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, existing ByteDance investors, may play a key role in providing additional capital.
As the pressure mounts, all eyes are on how TikTok’s ownership structure will shift—and whether Amazon’s bid can make a late-game impact in the tech industry’s latest geopolitical saga.
