‘Intel’s CEO is highly conflicted’: Trump demands resignation from Chinese connections
U.S. President Donald Trump called on Intel CEO Lip-bu Tan to resign immediately, accusing his relationship with a Chinese company of serious conflicts of interest.
“Intel’s CEO is highly conflicting and must resign immediately. There is no other solution to this problem,” Trump wrote in an article on his Truth Social Platform.
Trump’s comments were reportedly published the day after Republican Senator Tom Cotton wrote a letter to Intel’s chairman Frank Yeary, asking Tan about his business connections in China and citing national security risks.
Cotton’s letter reported that Tan had links with Chinese companies now under scrutiny in criminal cases while serving as CEO of Cadence Design Systems.
Lip-Bu Tan is appointed CEO of Intel
Lip-Bu Tan, a former Intel board member and famous Chip industry veteran, was appointed Intel CEO in March. His appointment comes as a battle with investor suspicion after the chip giant continues to oust with former CEO Pat Gelsinger.
Gelsinger’s ambitious plan revitalizes Intel to push the board to seek new leadership with expensive chip design and manufacturing investments.
Tan’s appointment was earlier seen as a strategic move because of his extensive experience and deep connections in the technology and chip manufacturing ecosystem. Intel’s board of directors contacted him in December last year to explore interest in the highest job, the report said.
But the letter from Cotton Senator now has a shadow over the appointment, referring to the subpoena sent to Cadence Design during Tan’s tenure and asking Intel’s board of directors whether it included it in their recruitment decision.
Federal Funding Review and Chinese Tie
Cotton Senators also highlighted the receipt of Intel’s federal funding, believing that the company must be “the responsible steward of the U.S. taxpayer dollar” and comply with all relevant national security laws.
He questioned whether Tan disclosed all necessary details about his investment, professional role or affiliation with Chinese companies before being appointed. As of now, Intel has not made any official comments on President Trump’s remarks or the letter from the Cotton Senator.
