China Blocks SoftBank From Buying ABB Robotics’ China Business
The Chinese decision threatens a $5.4 billion global acquisition aimed at expanding the Japanese company's artificial intelligence and robotics operations.
TL;DR
- China's foreign-investment security review office prohibited SoftBank from acquiring ABB's robotics business in China.
- This decision affects a significant industrial robotics operation with manufacturing and research facilities in China.
- China is the world's largest market for industrial robots, and ABB locally manufactures over 90% of robots sold to Chinese customers.
- SoftBank had agreed to purchase ABB's entire robotics division for $5.375 billion in October 2025.