Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
China blocks SoftBank’s $5.4 billion purchase of ABB robotics unit
China has blocked SoftBank’s planned $5.4 billion purchase of ABB’s robotics division.
SoftBank is a Japanese investor, and ABB is a Swiss engineering group.
The Chinese state planner said the deal cannot go ahead, according to ABB.
The decision comes as Beijing tightens scrutiny of foreign investment involving advanced technology.
China also recently ordered Meta to unwind its purchase of AI start-up Manus, a deal worth more than $2 billion.
The block limits SoftBank’s ambitions in robotics, which its chief executive, Masayoshi Son, has described as central to its AI investment strategy.
The takeover was also expected to boost SoftBank’s revenue and profit while it awaits a potential lift from OpenAI’s public debut.
China has blocked SoftBank’s planned US$5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics division, the Swiss company said.
The decision stops the Japanese investor from buying the robotics business of the Swiss engineering group.
The move comes as Beijing tightens scrutiny of foreign investment in domestic start-ups developing frontier technologies.
It is the second major deal blocked by China this year, after authorities ordered Meta to unwind its acquisition of AI start-up Manus.
The decision also restrains SoftBank’s ambitions in robotics, which Chief Executive Masayoshi Son has described as a core part of its AI investment strategy.
- Who
- China’s state planner blocked the deal. SoftBank was the prospective buyer, and ABB owns the robotics division.
- What
- China will not allow SoftBank’s planned US$5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics division to go ahead.
- When
- The decision was reported on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
- Where
- China.
- Why
- The move comes amid tighter Chinese scrutiny of foreign investment in frontier technologies. The sources do not state a specific reason for blocking this acquisition.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
China ordered Meta to unwind its acquisition of AI start-up Manus.
ABB said China’s state planner would not allow SoftBank’s planned acquisition of its robotics division to go ahead.
- Deal value
- US$5.4 billion
- Prospective buyer
- SoftBank, Japan
- Business for sale
- ABB’s robotics division
- Seller
- ABB, a Swiss engineering group
- Reported decision date
- November 5, 2026