As the US government intensifies its push for TikTok to separate from its Chinese parent company ByteDance, the race to acquire the social media giant's US operations has drawn major players. The latest surprising contender is Amazon, which recently submitted a formal bid despite analysts questioning its feasibility. The company expressed its interest in TikTok's digital commerce influence in a letter to US Vice President JD Vance and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

However, Amazon isn't the only one eyeing TikTok. Other potential buyers include tech giant Oracle, investment firm Blackstone Group, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and Project Liberty. Despite the growing list of suitors, TikTok has consistently asserted that it is not for sale. Adding to the complexity, the Chinese government is expected to block any transaction that involves the platform’s proprietary algorithm, a crucial asset that makes TikTok unique.

The urgency stems from the approaching April 5 deadline, which requires TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer to avoid a potential ban in the United States. With Amazon's late entry, the competition has intensified, but questions remain about whether any deal can realistically materialize.

Amazon's involvement has sparked widespread speculation, but the company’s chances are considered slim due to the anticipated regulatory hurdles and the strong opposition from ByteDance. For now, the situation remains fluid, with the future of TikTok's US operations hanging in the balance as the deadline looms.