President Donald Trump has shifted his position on Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, just days after demanding Tan step down over reported ties to Chinese companies. The reversal came following a White House meeting with Tan, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.
The controversy began when Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) sent a letter to Intel’s board raising national security concerns over Tan’s more than $200 million in investments through his venture capital firm in Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip companies, some allegedly linked to the Chinese military. Trump echoed the concerns on Truth Social, calling Tan “highly CONFLICTED” and urging his immediate resignation.
In response, Tan issued a letter to Intel employees rejecting the allegations as “misinformation” and confirming plans to meet with administration officials. During the White House discussion, Tan shared his personal background—born in Malaysia, raised in Singapore, and later earning a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—and outlined potential avenues for Intel to collaborate with the U.S. government on technology and security initiatives.
Trump described the meeting as “very interesting” and praised Tan’s career as “an amazing story.” He said Tan would continue working with Lutnick and Bessent to develop recommendations for the administration in the coming week, signaling a shift from confrontation to cooperation.
