Meta Stock: China Blocks Manus Acquisition That Is Key Part Of AI Agent Push

China’s National Development and Reform Commission ordered Meta Platforms to unwind its roughly $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus on national-security grounds, sending Meta shares modestly lower in premarket trading. The regulatory action raises near-term political and compliance risk for Meta and could amplify volatility around the company’s first-quarter earnings due April 29. The story highlights U.S.-China tensions in AI and may prompt investors to reassess M&A and AI-related strategy risks. Offsetting items noted in the article include Meta’s 1-gigawatt solar purchase agreement with Overview Energy and cost-cutting via planned layoffs of about 10% of its ~80,000 staff, but the takeover ban is an immediate negative catalyst for the stock.