Walmart said it has held discussions with Microsoft about partnering with the software giant in its pursuit of TikTok’s US operations, the latest big company to enter the chase for the popular short video-sharing app, reported NPR.
The Trump administration has pushed TikTok’s owner, Chinese technology giant ByteDance, to sell its American operations after targeting the app over national-security concerns. Microsoft, Oracle and Twitter have all been named as possible buyers of its operations in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
“The way TikTok has integrated e-commerce and advertising capabilities in other markets is a clear benefit to creators and users in those markets,” Walmart said in a statement.
“We believe a potential relationship with TikTok US in partnership with Microsoft could add this key functionality and provide Walmart with an important way for us to reach and serve omnichannel customers as well as grow our third-party marketplace and advertising businesses,” Walmart said.
Walmart said a potential partnership with Microsoft would address US government concerns about TikTok. Walmart and Microsoft are already partners on several technology projects, with the retailer using Microsoft’s cloud computing services, as they seek a counterweight to Amazon.
