China Halts Meta's $2 Billion Acquisition of AI Startup Manus

China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has officially blocked Meta Platforms Inc. from completing its $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a startup specializing in agentic artificial intelligence. The regulatory body ordered the immediate cancellation of the deal in a brief statement released Monday. The decision comes as Beijing intensifies its scrutiny of foreign investments and the export of sensitive technologies. According to the NDRC, the move was necessary to prevent the leakage of proprietary AI technology to the US, reflecting a broader trend of tightening controls over the domestic tech ecosystem. For Meta, the blocked acquisition represents a strategic setback in its efforts to integrate advanced agentic AI capabilities into its product suite. The company's representatives were unavailable for comment following the announcement. This intervention underscores the growing friction in US-China relations, specifically regarding the race for AI supremacy. The block suggests that M&A activity involving critical emerging technologies will face extreme headwinds as both nations prioritize national security over corporate expansion.