China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced Thursday it is reviewing Meta Platforms' acquisition of Manus. The deal, valued at over $2 billion, involves the Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup, which features Chinese founders.
MOFCOM stated it will investigate whether the transaction complies with China's regulations. Specifically, the review focuses on export controls, technology transfer, and foreign investment rules.
Meta views the Manus acquisition as a key strategic move intended to bolster its agentic AI capabilities. The deal already faced U.S. scrutiny before Manus relocated its headquarters from Beijing to Singapore.
This development introduces a significant layer of geopolitical uncertainty. The review by Chinese regulators could potentially complicate or delay the integration of Manus's technology into Meta's ecosystem.