Amazon faces Senate probe over alleged China influence, Bloomberg reports

Amazon is facing a U.S. Senate Small Business Committee investigation over allegations that China may have influenced its marketplace operations, according to Bloomberg. The probe reportedly centers on claims of Amazon negligence and possible employee contacts in China that could manipulate marketplace decisions for payment. The article adds that investigators spoke with a witness who provided recordings suggesting intermediaries had access to Amazon insiders. The news increases regulatory pressure on Amazon, coming on top of existing antitrust and consumer protection scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe. While the report does not quantify financial exposure, it is negative for sentiment because it raises reputational, legal, and compliance risks and could further weigh on the stock if the inquiry expands or leads to formal findings.