A $2.5 billion acquisition between Meta and AI start-up Manus has been halted by Chinese authorities, turning what looked like a routine tech deal into a major regulatory flashpoint. Here’s a look at what happened and why it matters.
A fast-tracked deal that drew global attention: In December 2025, Meta agreed to acquire Manus in just about two weeks. The deal was seen as a rare high-value exit for a Chinese-founded AI company, especially at a time of tighter US-China tech restrictions. (Image: Canva)
Manus’ rapid rise in the AI…

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