According to CNBC, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday that it will investigate Meta’s acquisition of the artificial intelligence startup Manus. The deal, which closed last month, was reportedly valued at over $2 billion according to the Wall Street Journal. The Singapore-based startup, Manus, was bought by Meta as the tech giant seeks to integrate advanced automation. Ministry spokesperson He Yadong stated the review will assess compliance with laws on export controls, technology import and export, and overseas investment. The Ministry also reiterated China’s support for lawful transnational operations. Meta has been contacted for comment on the probe.
Why this probe is a big deal
So, Meta buys a Singaporean AI startup. Why is China even involved? Here’s the thing: the global AI arms race has made every acquisition, especially billion-dollar ones, a matter of national security scrutiny. China isn’t just checking a box. They’re signaling that any transaction involving advanced AI capabilities, even if the company isn’t based within its borders, could fall under its regulatory microscope if there are Chinese interests or tech involved. It’s a power move. Basically, they’re asserting that their export control laws have a long reach.
The real message behind the investigation
Look, this isn’t *just* about one deal. This probe is a shot across the bow to the entire tech industry. The Chinese government’s statement, translated by Google, about supporting “mutually beneficial transnational operations” sounds diplomatic, but the subtext is clear: play by our rules, or face the consequences. For Meta, which is already locked out of the Chinese market for its core social apps, this adds a new layer of geopolitical complexity to its AI ambitions. Can it successfully acquire and integrate global AI talent if every deal might get held up by a major power’s review? That’s the billion-dollar question.
What this means for future tech deals
I think we’re going to see a lot more of this. The era of Silicon Valley giants quietly snapping up promising startups anywhere in the world is over. Now, every major acquisition is a geopolitical event. For companies operating in sensitive fields like AI, semiconductor design, or robotics, the path to a sale just got a lot more complicated. They’ll need lawyers who understand not just antitrust, but international tech control regimes from multiple countries. It’s a messy new reality. And honestly, it’s probably going to slow down innovation, or at least redirect it into more nationally-aligned silos. Not great for anyone who believes in a global tech ecosystem.
