Intel head Tan stands firm amid calls for his departure from office
In August 2025, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan found himself at the centre of a political storm when former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly demanded his immediate resignation, citing Tan's alleged ties to China. Trump, without providing evidence, accused Tan of potential conflicts of interest linked to his investments in various Chinese companies, some of which have been alleged to have connections to the Chinese military and Communist Party.
Tan, who became Intel CEO in March 2025, has a long history in the industry, including founding Walden International in the 1980s. However, his deep ties to China, spanning decades, have come under scrutiny. Republican Senator Tom Cotton had previously raised concerns about Tan’s control or stakes in multiple Chinese advanced manufacturing and semiconductor firms, expressing worry over U.S. national security and Intel's ability to fulfill obligations under the U.S. government's CHIPS Act.
Following Trump's social media call for Tan's resignation, the Intel CEO responded internally, stating he has always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards. He also dismissed misinformation regarding his prior roles and ties. After a meeting with Trump and his cabinet members, Trump softened his stance, describing Tan’s career as an "amazing story" and indicating further discussions would take place to address the concerns, ending his immediate demand for Tan to step down.
Intel publicly affirmed its commitment to advancing U.S. national security and economic interests, highlighting ongoing significant domestic manufacturing investments in states like Arizona and Oregon. The company, however, did not directly address Trump's accusations but stressed the legality of American business leaders holding foreign investments and their focus on returning Intel to engineering-first and U.S.-focused operations.
Tan, in a letter to employees, aimed to mitigate the impact of the controversy. He did not mention any direct response to Trump's call for his resignation. The CEO's strict austerity course at Intel, which deviates from his predecessor's plans, has not been addressed in the letter.
Despite the controversy, Tan has the full support of Intel's board. He succeeded Pat Gelsinger at Intel and is implementing a new course for the company. The unrest caused by the controversy at Intel remains a significant concern, underscoring the heightened geopolitical tensions around semiconductor technology and U.S.-China relations in 2025.
[1] The New York Times [2] The Wall Street Journal [3] Politico [4] Reuters [5] CNBC
- The political storm surrounding Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan's alleged ties to China, originally ignited by former U.S. President Donald Trump, has been extensively covered in policy-and-legislation sections of news outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Reuters, and CNBC.
- The controversy over Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan's investments in Chinese companies, including those with suspected connections to the Chinese military and Communist Party, has become a hot topic in general news, with many articles published in politics sections of newspapers like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, and CNBC.
