China blocks SoftBank's $5.4bn takeover of ABB's robotics division

Summary

China has blocked SoftBank's $5.4bn takeover of the robotics division of Swiss-Swedish company ABB, according to the Financial Times. The unit is focused on the Chinese market and has a mega-factory in Pudong. Investing.com, citing the Financial Times, reports the same block of the $5.4 bln deal. The Japan Times reports the takeover was widely expected to bolster SoftBank's revenue and profit while it awaits a boost from OpenAI's public debut. Seeking Alpha reports that ABB has confirmed China blocked the $5.4B SoftBank robotics deal.

Timeline

1. Financial Times

   5 Nov 2026, 03:02 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that China has blocked SoftBank's $5.4bn takeover of ABB's robotics division, noting the unit is focused on the Chinese market and has a mega-factory in Pudong.

2. Investing.com

   5 Nov 2026, 03:15 UTCSource ↗

   Reports, citing the Financial Times, that China has blocked SoftBank's $5.4 bln takeover of ABB's robotics unit.

3. The Japan Times

   5 Nov 2026, 08:01 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that China has blocked SoftBank's $5.4 billion takeover of ABB's robot unit, noting the deal was widely expected to bolster SoftBank's revenue and profit while it awaits a boost from OpenAI's public debut.

4. Seeking Alpha

   5 Nov 2026, 13:22 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that ABB has confirmed China blocked the $5.4B SoftBank robotics deal.