China Blocks SoftBank's Purchase of ABB Robotics, Raising Cross-Border Investment Concerns

China has moved to stop SoftBank, the Japanese investment holding company, from completing its acquisition of ABB's robotics business. The decision has raised concerns about supply-chain risk and the future of cross-border investment in robotics.

Why it matters: Physical AI and industrial robotics deals now face geopolitical review, which could affect where AI-powered automation hardware is built, financed, and sourced.