China Scrutinizes Meta's Manus AI Deal Amid Widening Tech Control Battle

• Chinese authorities are reviewing Meta's $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus for potential technology export control violations.
• The review assesses if Manus's relocation to Singapore and its technology transfer were legal, given its Chinese origins.
• This deal highlights the growing tech decoupling between the US and China, with Beijing potentially using export controls as leverage.
• Concerns exist in China that such deals encourage "Singapore washing" by AI startups to evade domestic regulatory oversight.
• The outcome could set a precedent for future cross-border AI tech deals and the global AI ecosystem's split.

Why It Matters: China's review of Meta's Manus deal is a critical test for global AI tech control and US-China decoupling.