SoftBank Group said China barred its purchase of ABB’s robotics business in the country, leaving unresolved the status of its proposed $5.375 billion acquisition of the global division.
SoftBank said it received notice on Nov. 4 that China’s Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review had prohibited the acquisition in China. ABB confirmed the decision on Nov. 5. Both companies said discussions about the transaction continue, but have not explained how the order affects the global sale. EconoTimes previously reported the China ban on SoftBank’s local acquisition.
SoftBank’s October 2025 announcement set a total purchase price of $5.375 billion, subject to customary adjustments; ABB has described the figure as enterprise value. SoftBank said the deal required regulatory approvals in China, the United States and the European Union, and was expected to close in mid-to-late 2026. Neither company has announced a revised timetable. ABB said the transaction still needs regulatory clearances and must meet its other closing requirements.
SoftBank said the acquisition would advance its AI robotics strategy by combining ABB’s robotics platform with SoftBank’s robotics investments. Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son said when the deal was announced, “SoftBank’s next frontier is Physical AI.”
China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on April 27 that its foreign investment security review office blocked a foreign purchase of the Manus project and ordered the parties to unwind the transaction. Manus announced in December 2025 that it was joining Meta. The government notice did not identify the buyer or give a reason.
Separately, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) proposed revisions to China’s technology export catalogue on Oct. 16. The proposal covers 40 technologies, including 23 related to AI, and the public comment period is scheduled through Nov. 15. A MOFCOM spokesperson called the revision routine and said it did not target any country, region or entity.
