Manus AI's founder was prevented from leaving the country, directly related to negotiations with Meta over a $2 billion acquisition.

The founder of Manus AI is blocked from leaving the country, directly tied to Meta’s $2 billion acquisition talks.

The Chinese government’s controls over the outflow of key technologies and talent are affecting cross-border technology transactions. Meta is negotiating with Manus AI over an acquisition of up to $2 billion, but the founder cannot leave China—showing the government’s emphasis on technological sovereignty. Such intervention could become the norm for future cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

The deal involves core AI technology, and Manus AI’s technical capabilities make it a strategic target for Meta. However, the appeal of the Chinese market to internet giants also forces Meta, during negotiations, to take into account the Chinese government’s position. In 2019, China’s tech company M&A already exceeded $46 billion, highlighting the complexity of technology flows.

Going forward, it will be important to watch how the Chinese government strikes a balance between technology exports and national security, and how companies can advance their global expansion plans within the regulatory framework. The tug-of-war between technological sovereignty and market expansion remains a key issue in the tech industry.