WASHINGTON, US President Donald Trump called for the immediate resignation of Intel’s new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, labeling him “highly conflicted” over his deep investment ties to Chinese chip firms — a rare move of presidential pressure on corporate leadership.
“THE CEO OF INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately,” Trump posted on Truth Social, following a Reuters report detailing Tan’s $200 million investment in Chinese semiconductor and manufacturing firms, including some linked to the Chinese military.
Intel shares (INTC.O) dropped nearly 3% after the post.
The controversy follows a letter from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) to Intel’s board, questioning Tan’s role amid national security concerns and a past criminal case involving his former company, Cadence Design.
Tan took the helm as Intel battles to reclaim its edge in chip making. The company is central to the U.S. CHIPS Act strategy and was granted $8 billion last year to expand domestic production.
Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the establishment of a “World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation” that would set governance rules and promote collaboration among nations, with artificial intelligence characterised as a “public good for the international community.”
In January 2026, China approved the import of its first batch of Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chips from the United States, signaling a shift in Beijing’s stance toward advanced U.S. technology as demand for AI computing power surges.
