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

The founder of Manus AI is being prevented from leaving the country, which is directly tied to Meta’s $2 billion acquisition negotiations.

China’s government controls on the outflow of key technologies and talent are affecting cross-border technology deals. Meta is negotiating an acquisition of up to $2 billion involving Manus AI, but the founder cannot leave China, showing the government’s emphasis on technological sovereignty. Such intervention may become the norm for future cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

This deal involves core AI technology, and Manus AI’s technical capabilities make it a strategic target for Meta. However, the attractiveness of the Chinese market to internet giants also forces Meta, during negotiations, to consider the stance of the China government. In 2019, the amount of mergers and acquisitions by Chinese technology companies already exceeded 460 billion, highlighting the complexity of technology flows.

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