China blocks SoftBank’s acquisition of ABB’s robotics business in China

ABB says it has been informed by SoftBank that China’s Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review has prohibited the acquisition of the ABB Robotics business in China, according to a press release from ABB. SoftBank is managing the process of obtaining regulatory approvals. 

When the deal was announced in October 2025, it was expected to close in mid-to-late 2026. The sale replaced ABB’s earlier plan to spin off the robotics business as a separately listed company. At the time, ABB Robotics had around 7,000 employees and reported revenue of USD 2.3 billion in 2024, about 7% of the group total.

ABB and SoftBank are in close dialogue and are working constructively on the transaction, the company says.