Meta Unwinds $2 Billion Manus Acquisition After Beijing Divestiture Order
META•Meta has begun dismantling its $2 billion Manus acquisition, cutting the AI startup off from its internal systems and halting data sharing to comply with Beijing's divestiture order. Manus co-founders are in talks to raise about $1 billion for a Chinese joint venture and Hong Kong listing for the AI firm.
1. Beijing Issues Divestiture Order
Beijing's Ministry of Commerce issued a divestiture order in April on national security grounds, citing potential export control violations and foreign investment rule breaches related to advanced agentic AI technology.
2. Meta Executes Operational Separation
Meta has completed operational separation by cutting Manus off from its internal systems, halting data sharing and preventing the startup’s tools from being used on any internal Meta projects, in line with the government's timeline.
3. Manus Funding and Relisting Plans
Manus co-founders have held preliminary discussions to raise about $1 billion from external investors to establish a Chinese joint venture and pursue a listing in Hong Kong, leveraging recent surges in AI startup IPOs.
