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

2026-04-03 17:11:17

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The founder of Manus AI was prevented from leaving the country, directly linked to Meta’s $2 billion acquisition talks.

China’s controls on the outflow of key technologies and talent are affecting cross-border technology deals. Meta is negotiating with Manus AI on an acquisition valued at up to $2 billion, but the founder cannot leave China, showing how much the government values technological sovereignty. Such intervention may become the norm for future cross-border M&A.

The deal involves core AI technology. Manus AI’s technical capabilities make it a strategic target for Meta. However, the Chinese market’s pull on internet giants also forces Meta to factor in the stance of the Chinese government in the negotiations. In 2019, the value of China’s tech companies’ mergers and acquisitions had already exceeded $46 billion, highlighting the complexity of technology flows.

In the future, attention should be paid to how the Chinese government strikes a balance between technology exports and national security, and how companies can advance their global expansion within the regulatory framework. The contest between technological sovereignty and market expansion remains an important issue in the tech industry.

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