Amazon makes shock last-minute bid to buy TikTok: report

Core Insights - Amazon has made a surprise bid to acquire TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, ahead of a deadline set by the U.S. government [1][3] - Key parties involved in the negotiations reportedly do not take Amazon's bid seriously, and the dollar value of the proposal has not been disclosed [2] - The bid coincides with ongoing discussions in the U.S. government regarding TikTok's ownership and national security concerns [4][6] Amazon's Bid - Amazon submitted an offer letter addressed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick [1] - The company has not publicly commented on the bid, and representatives from the White House and TikTok have not responded to inquiries [3] National Security Context - TikTok is viewed as a national security threat by Congress and federal authorities until Chinese involvement is eliminated [6] - The app has over 170 million users in the U.S., highlighting its significant market presence [6] Other Stakeholders - Existing U.S. investors in ByteDance, including Susquehanna, KKR, General Atlantic, and Coatue, are seeking to acquire larger stakes in TikTok [6] - New investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Blackstone Group have been approached to assist in the deal [9] Financial Aspects - A sale of TikTok is expected to fetch at least $40 billion [9] - The U.S. government requires total divestment of Chinese control over TikTok, and it remains uncertain if Amazon's bid will meet this requirement [10] Regulatory Considerations - President Trump has until Saturday to finalize a deal, with the possibility of extending the deadline if necessary [5] - Approval from the Chinese government is also required, which has shown a willingness to negotiate after initially opposing a forced sale [10]