China blocks SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics
China’s Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review prohibited SoftBank Group’s planned $5.4 billion purchase of ABB’s robotics business. ABB confirmed the prohibition on November 5, and SoftBank said it received the notice on November 4 and will continue discussions. The block halts SoftBank’s strategy to add physical AI capabilities through the deal. China is the largest market for ABB Robotics, supplying over 90 percent of its robots locally.
Why it matters
The prohibition stops SoftBank’s immediate expansion into industrial robotics, delaying its physical‑AI roadmap. ABB must now seek an alternative structure or keep the division independent, affecting its valuation and future growth in its biggest market.
Key facts
- 1China’s Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review prohibited the $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics. techtarget.com
- 2ABB confirmed the decision on November 5, citing the Chinese review. roboticsandautomationnews.com
- 3SoftBank received notification of the prohibition on November 4 and will continue discussions with ABB. roboticsandautomationnews.com
- 4China accounts for more than 90 percent of the robots supplied to ABB Robotics customers in the country. roboticsandautomationnews.com
- 5The acquisition was announced in October 2025 and would have given SoftBank control of a leading industrial robotics manufacturer with over 7,000 employees. roboticsandautomationnews.com
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 2 of 2 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.