China Blocks $5.4 Billion ABB Robotics Deal with SoftBank

China's Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review has prohibited the proposed $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB's robotics business in China by Masayoshi Son's SoftBank Group. The deal, announced in October 2025, was intended to integrate AI applications with physical AI and was expected to be completed by mid to late 2026. ABB and SoftBank are reportedly in close dialogue to address the decision.