Meta loses $2B Manus AI deal after China blocks acquisition

Chinese regulators reviewed whether the woody violated Beijing's overseas concern rules earlier issuing the astonishment decision, citing concerns implicit imaginable exertion leakage to the US.

The committee stated it would "prohibit overseas concern successful Manus successful accordance with laws and regulations, and requires the parties progressive to retreat the acquisition transaction." Officials did not connection further details astir the ruling.

Meta had announced the acquisition of Manus, an agentic AI startup, successful precocious December 2025 for an estimated $2 billion. Within weeks, China's commerce ministry launched an investigation.

The ruling deals a stroke to Meta's efforts to adjacent the spread with rivals successful the rapidly evolving AI landscape, with the nonaccomplishment of Manus representing a costly setback arsenic contention intensifies crossed the industry.