Key facts
- ABB said in a statement that Chinese authorities moved to block SoftBank's purchase of its robotics division.
- SoftBank agreed in October 2025 to buy ABB's robotics business for $5.4 billion.
- SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has sought to make the group a core player in artificial intelligence development.
Chinese authorities have moved to block SoftBank Group's purchase of the robotics division of ABB, the Swiss-Swedish company said in a statement on November 5, 2026. The deal is valued at $5.4 billion.
SoftBank Group said in October 2025 that it would acquire the robotics business, part of founder Masayoshi Son's push into artificial intelligence and automation. The Nikkei reported that China had balked at the plan.
The statement from ABB did not name the Chinese body involved or give a reason for the move. The report did not say what steps SoftBank or ABB might take in response.