Manus AI founder blocked from leaving the country, directly related to Meta's $2 billion acquisition negotiations.

The founder of Manus AI has been prevented from leaving the country, directly tied to Meta’s $2.0 billion acquisition negotiations.

The Chinese government’s controls over the outflow of key technologies and talent are affecting cross-border technology deals. Meta is in negotiations with Manus AI for an acquisition of up to $2.0 billion, but the founder cannot leave China, showing the government’s emphasis on technological sovereignty. This kind of interference may 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 to take the Chinese government’s position into account during negotiations. In 2019, the total value of technology-company M&A deals in China already exceeded $46 billion, highlighting the complexity of technology flows.

Going forward, attention should be paid to how the Chinese government strikes a balance between technology exports and national security, and how companies advance their global expansion under the regulatory framework. The tug-of-war between technological sovereignty and market expansion remains a major issue in the tech industry.