Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan on Thursday rejected calls for his resignation from President Donald Trump, insisting he has "always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards" and has the full support of the company's board.
Trump posted on Truth Social, "The CEO of Intel is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem!" The remarks came after Sen. Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel Chairman Frank Yeary raising concerns over Tan's past investments and ties to Chinese semiconductor firms allegedly connected to the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army.
Cotton's letter also questioned whether Tan had divested his interests in those companies to remove potential conflicts. It cited his previous leadership at Cadence Design Systems, which recently pleaded guilty to illegally selling technology to a blacklisted Chinese military university.
Tan, who became Intel's chief executive in March, addressed employees directly in a companywide email later published on Intel's blog. "The United States has been my home for more than 40 years," he wrote. "Leading Intel at this critical moment is not just a job - it's a privilege."
He said there was "misinformation" circulating about his work at Walden International and Cadence, and that Intel is "engaging with the Administration to address the matters that have been raised and ensure they have the facts." Tan added, "I fully share the President's commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security ... and I'm proud to lead a company that is so central to these goals."
Intel, in its own statement, stressed it is "deeply committed to advancing U.S. national and economic security interests" and making investments aligned with Trump's "America First" agenda.
The dispute comes amid intensifying U.S.-China competition in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and digital technologies viewed as critical to both future economic growth and military capabilities. Tan pointed to Intel's progress toward large-scale domestic manufacturing of advanced chips later this year, calling it "a testament" to the company's workforce.
Intel shares fell more than 3% Thursday but edged higher in premarket trading Friday.
