China blocked SoftBank Group's planned $5.4 billion purchase of ABB's robotics business
China blocked SoftBank Group’s proposed $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics business, ABB confirmed in an emailed statement. The Financial Times, citing people familiar with the matter, reported concerns over domestic supply chains, manufacturing capacity, intellectual property and possible overseas transfer of robotics data for AI training. SoftBank shares fell around 7% in Tokyo; ABB has not indicated next steps.
More context
ABB told Bloomberg in an emailed statement that Chinese authorities had halted SoftBank Group’s planned $5.4 billion purchase of its robotics business. The Financial Times, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that China’s National Development and Reform Commission told SoftBank it would not approve the deal. The agreement was announced in October 2025 and cleared China’s competition review in February 2026. The Financial Times reported that regulators examined domestic supply chains, manufacturing capacity and intellectual property, and raised concerns that robotics-related data could be transferred overseas for AI training. SoftBank declined to comment. Its shares fell around 7% in Tokyo on Thursday. ABB has not said whether it will restructure or abandon the deal.
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Reporting
- The Japan Times — China blocks SoftBank’s $5.4 billion ABB robot unit takeover - The Japan Times
- BigGo Finance — China to Block SoftBank Group's ABB Robotics Deal, Clouding ¥850 Billion Transaction — BigGo Finance
- The Economic Times — China blocks SoftBank's $5.4 billion takeover of ABB's robotics division: Report - The Economic Times
- startupfortune.com — China blocks SoftBank's $5.4 billion bid for ABB's robotics unit - Startup Fortune
- cxodigitalpulse.com — China Blocks SoftBank’s $5.4 Billion Acquisition of ABB Robotics Division
- law.com — MoFo, Freshfields Advise on $5.4B SoftBank-ABB Robotics Deal Blocked by China | Law.com
Verifier’s note
The Japan Times reports that China blocked the $5.4 billion deal, and Law.com says ABB confirmed Chinese authorities rejected the acquisition. BigGo Finance, The Economic Times, and CXO Digital Pulse describe the same block while citing the Financial Times; Startup Fortune also reports the block, though its excerpt does not show independent sourcing.