SoftBank and ABB are considering separating the Chinese portion of a large robotics transaction as they look for ways to rescue a deal that Beijing has blocked, according to people familiar with the matter.
Robotics deal · SoftBank and ABB
SoftBank and ABB weigh splitting off China to rescue a blocked robotics deal
After Beijing stopped the original transaction, the companies are exploring a carve-out of the Chinese business so the rest of the deal could proceed. Talks are exploratory and no agreement has been disclosed.
How the carve-out idea works
Step 1
Original deal
Halted by Chinese authorities
→
Step 2
China split off
The China portion would be separated from the rest of the business
→
Step 3
Remainder proceeds
The rest of the transaction could move forward
What a carve-out could preserve
Value from the parts of the deal not subject to the Chinese block
A path forward when the original structure is no longer viable
A way to address Beijing's objections without abandoning the whole deal
Questions the split would raise
How the China operations would be valued
Who would own them after separation
How they would be run apart from the rest of the business
What is still unknown
The outcome remains uncertain, and the decisive question is whether a structure can satisfy Beijing.
Talks are exploratory
Split mechanics not described
No agreement status disclosed
No decision timetable set
Broader restructuring still possible
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