# China Blocks SoftBank’s $5.4B ABB Robotics Deal

> China halts SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s Chinese robotics operations.
- Title: China Blocks SoftBank’s $5.4B ABB Robotics Deal · AI Insider
- Summary: China halts SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s Chinese robotics operations.
- Keywords: china, softbank, abb, robotics, acquisition, regulation, AI Insider
- Source: AI Insider — https://theaiinsider.tech/2026/11/05/china-blocks-softbanks-acquisition-of-abbs-robotics-division
- Author: Greg Bock
- Published: 2026-11-05T09:17:45+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: china, softbank, abb, robotics, acquisition, regulation, ai, technology
## China Blocks SoftBank’s Deal
China blocked SoftBank Group’s proposed $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics’ operations in China.
## Regulatory Obstacle
China’s Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review prohibited the acquisition.
## Transaction Details
ABB agreed to sell its robotics division to SoftBank for $5.375 billion in October 2025.
## China’s Impact
The decision affects ABB’s $150 million Shanghai factory and follows China’s intervention in Meta’s $2 billion Manus deal.
## Key takeaway

China blocked SoftBank’s $5.4 billion plan to buy ABB’s robotics division in China, affecting a major operation including a $150 million Shanghai factory.