On April 27, 2026, in Beijing, China, authorities blocked US tech giant Meta from acquiring artificial intelligence startup Manus in a deal valued at around $2 billion, citing national security concerns.
The Chinese government ordered the transaction to be unwound after months of regulatory scrutiny, marking a rare intervention in a completed cross-border tech deal. Manus, originally founded in China and later based in Singapore, develops advanced AI agents capable of performing complex real-world tasks.
Officials signaled the move reflects growing efforts to prevent foreign control over sensitive technologies and AI talent. The decision comes amid intensifying competition between China and the United States over artificial intelligence dominance.
Meta had planned to integrate Manus’s technology into its platforms, but the ruling casts uncertainty over the future of the deal and highlights increasing geopolitical risks for global tech investments. Analysts say the case could discourage similar cross-border acquisitions in the AI sector.
