"The NDRC's instruction represents the end of a four-month regulatory process that began almost immediately after the deal was announced in December 2025, escalated to exit bans on Manus's co-founders in March 2026, and has now concluded with China's most direct intervention in a US technology acquisition of a Chinese-founded company since the beginning of the current trade war cycle."
"Manus was founded by Xiao Hong (CEO) and Ji Yichao (Chief Scientist) in China and incorporated in Singapore, a common structure for Chinese AI startups seeking international investment while maintaining operational roots in China."
"The company emerged in early 2025 as one of the most technically impressive agentic AI platforms, capable of autonomously executing complex multi-step tasks across web browsers, code editors, and file systems without requiring human supervision at each step."
The NDRC has formally canceled Meta's $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Chinese-founded AI startup. This decision follows a four-month regulatory process that included exit bans on Manus's co-founders. Manus, founded in China and incorporated in Singapore, is known for its advanced agentic AI capabilities. The Chinese government expressed concerns regarding the acquisition, which would have eliminated Chinese ownership interests and ceased operations in China. This intervention represents a notable escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China.
Read at TNW | Meta
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