China blocks second major AI deal with SoftBank-ABB veto
By MLex Staff ( November 6, 2026, 07:50 GMT | Insight) -- China rejected SoftBank Group's $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB's robotics business on national security grounds, marking the second publicly known case this year where Beijing blocked a foreign deal in artificial intelligence-related sectors. The veto came despite antitrust clearance and targeted a transaction that would have transferred control of ABB's global robotics headquarters in Shanghai, including manufacturing operations, research facilities and data from robots deployed across Chinese factories.China rejected SoftBank Group's $5.4 billion purchase of ABB's robotics business, the second publicly known case this year where Beijing has used national security powers to block a foreign acquisition in artificial intelligence-related sectors....
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