Intel CEO Tan to Meet Trump After Resignation Controversy

Intel’s CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, is set to visit the White House on Monday, following a request from President Trump for his resignation last week, as reported by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday.

While Reuters has yet to verify this, both Intel and the White House have not provided immediate comments on the matter.

Tan is anticipated to have in-depth discussions with Trump, aiming to clarify his background—both personally and professionally. It’s likely he will also propose collaborative strategies for Intel and the U.S. government.

According to the report, Tan aims to gain Trump’s support by demonstrating his dedication to American interests and highlighting the importance of preserving Intel’s manufacturing as a matter of national security.

Last week, Trump characterized Tan as “very conflicted” due to his connections with Chinese firms, raising doubts about his ability to rejuvenate the struggling American semiconductor giant.

Tan stated that he shares the president’s commitment to enhancing both national and economic security in the U.S.

This incident highlights a rare situation where a U.S. president has publicly called for a CEO’s removal, igniting discussions among investors.

Earlier in April, Reuters reported that Tan had invested between $200 million to hundreds of millions in Chinese military and chip companies.

Tan, who was born in Malaysia and has a background in both Chinese and American business, previously served as CEO of Cadence Design until December 2021. During his tenure, he facilitated the sale of products to a military university in China, where it’s believed that chip design software could be used in relation to nuclear simulations.

Recently, Cadence faced legal troubles, pleading guilty and agreeing to pay over $140 million to settle a U.S. sales allegation.