China Blocks SoftBank Acquisition of ABB Robotics Business

China has blocked SoftBank Group Corp.'s planned acquisition of ABB's robotics business in the country, creating a regulatory obstacle to a divestment agreement valued at $5.375 billion. ABB disclosed the development on November 5, 2026, confirming that SoftBank informed the company of the decision by Chinese authorities.

The prohibition was issued by China's Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review. The decision concerns the acquisition of ABB's Robotics business in China and affects a transaction that remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

ABB said SoftBank is responsible for managing the regulatory approval process. Despite the latest development, both companies remain in discussions about the transaction.

"ABB and SoftBank are in close dialogue and are working constructively on the transaction," ABB said in its November 5 update.

The agreement originated in October 2025, when ABB announced that it had signed a deal to sell its Robotics division to SoftBank Group Corp. The transaction carried an enterprise value of $5.375 billion.

Under the announced arrangement, completion depended on obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and meeting customary closing conditions. SoftBank was assigned responsibility for handling the approval process across relevant jurisdictions.

China's decision introduces a regulatory restriction specifically involving ABB's robotics operations in the country. ABB's latest statement does not provide further details about the review, the reasons for the prohibition, or any changes to the transaction's terms.

ABB operates globally in electrification and automation, providing technologies intended to improve industrial performance, efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. The company has more than 140 years of history and approximately 110,000 employees worldwide.

ABB shares trade on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker ABBN and on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker ABB. The company continues to maintain dialogue with SoftBank as discussions over the divestment proceed.