EL7.AI
Stocks•18 June 2026•
1 min read

Chinese Investors Plan $2B Buyback of AI Startup Manus from Meta

Key Facts

1Early Chinese backers of AI startup Manus plan to buy the company back from Meta at the $2 billion price originally paid.

Amid escalating tech tensions between Washington and Beijing, early Chinese backers of Manus are planning to buy back the AI startup from Meta. This move follows a divestiture order from Beijing, forcing Meta to unwind its previous acquisition of the firm. According to reports, the investors intend to pay $2 billion, matching the exact price Meta originally paid to acquire the startup.

This divestiture highlights the increasing regulatory scrutiny over cross-border AI deals as Beijing moves to protect strategic technological assets. In the broader sector, Apple (AAPL) closed at $298.01 and Microsoft (MSFT) traded at $376.005 per market data on June 18, 2026. Analysts suggest that recovering the full $2 billion investment mitigates the immediate financial impact of this forced exit for Meta.

Meta shares stood at $572.305 on June 18, 2026, as traders assess the geopolitical risks to the company's long-term AI roadmap. On the macroeconomic front, China's New Yuan Loans data from June 12, 2026, showed a higher-than-expected 520 billion, potentially signaling available liquidity for domestic buyers. Investors should watch for official Meta commentary regarding the redeployment of this capital.