Event Overview
Beijing blocks Meta acquisition of Chinese AI startup Manus
On April 27, 2026, China's National Development and Reform Commission announced the blocking of Meta's $2 billion acquisition of Manus, an AI startup with Chinese origins that had relocated to Singapore. This decision reflects China's increasing scrutiny of foreign investments in key technology sectors. Meta stated that it believed the transaction complied with applicable laws and anticipated a resolution to the inquiry. The move is seen as part of broader tensions between the U.S. and China over technology dominance.
The blocking of the acquisition signifies heightened regulatory scrutiny by China over foreign investments in technology, impacting Meta's strategic plans in the AI sector.
China blocks Meta's acquisition of AI startup Manus
China said Monday it has decided to block Meta's $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Singaporean AI startup with Chinese roots.
Beijing blocks Meta acquisition of Chinese AI startup Manus
China's state planner blocked U.S. tech giant Meta's purchase of Chinese artificial intelligence startup Manus on Monday, ordering the cancellation of the deal as Beijing and Washington jostle over supremacy in frontier industries.
China orders Meta to unwind $2 billion buy of AI startup Manus
China ordered U.S. tech giant Meta to unwind its $2 billion-plus acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Manus on Monday, as Beijing tightens scrutiny of U.S. investment in domestic startups in frontier technologies.
China blocks Meta from acquiring AI startup Manus
FILE - A Meta logo is shown on a video screen at LlamaCon 2025, an AI developer conference, in Menlo Park, Calif., April 29, 2025. Jeff Chiu/AP/AP hide caption HONG KONG — China on Monday blocked U.S. tech giant Meta's acquisition of the artificial intelligence startup Manus, in an unexpected move to reverse a deal.
China vetoes Meta’s $2B Manus deal after months-long probe
China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said on Monday it has blocked Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of Manus, an agentic AI startup founded by Chinese engineers that relocated to Singapore before Mark Zuckerberg scooped it up late last year . The move marks one of China’s.