China obstructs Meta Platforms’ $2 billion purchase AI firm Manus

Beijing has opted to obstruct Meta Platforms Inc.’s $2 billion purchase of agentic AI firm Manus, an unexpected reversal of a contentious merger criticized for transferring critical technology to the United States. The National Development and Reform Commission mandated the deal’s termination via a concise announcement Monday. This ruling followed existing statutes, the influential state planner noted in a brief notification, offering no further clarification.

The verdict will likely distress China’s expanding AI industry, appearing just weeks before a significant summit between US President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping.