Meta’s $2 billion Manus acquisition blocked by China.

In a significant blow to Meta's expansion into China's AI sector, the country's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has formally blocked the company's $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus. The security review decision, publicly disclosed on April 27, 2026, prohibits the foreign-investor acquisition and mandates the cancellation of the entire transaction. This marks one of the highest-profile rejections of a major tech acquisition by China's foreign investment security review mechanism.

Manus has gained attention as a general-purpose AI agent capable of autonomously handling complex, multi-step tasks across various domains—from research and data analysis to content creation and software development. The startup's technology represents a frontier in AI autonomy, making it a strategically valuable asset that China appears unwilling to cede to a US tech giant. For Meta, the blocked deal represents a major setback in its efforts to build a stronger foothold in Asia's AI ecosystem and access cutting-edge agent technology developed outside the US.