Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said Thursday he had “always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards” after President Trump demanded he resign, seemingly over Tan’s alleged ties to China.
“We are engaging with the Administration to address the matters that have been raised and ensure they have the facts,” the Intel chief said in a statement, adding that he had the backing of the company’s board. “I fully share the President’s commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security, I appreciate his leadership to advance these priorities, and I’m proud to lead a company that is so central to these goals.”
Trump offered few details in his call Thursday for Tan to step down, writing on Truth Social that the CEO was “highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.”
The president’s request came after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) sent a letter to the executive voicing concerns about whether Tan had questionable ties to Beijing.
Prior to joining Intel in March, the Intel chief was a venture capitalist and made significant investments throughout East Asia, including in China.
The pushback also comes as many tech CEOs have looked to be cozying up to Trump in his second term.
On Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook presented the president with a custom-made plaque with a solid gold base, as the company looks to navigate the administration’s latest tariffs. During an event at the White House, Trump announced that Apple would invest an $100 billion in manufacturing in the U.S.
Intel is a crucial player in the U.S.’s chip manufacturing arms race with China. Tan said in his statement that the company would be “ramping toward” making advanced semiconductors later this year.
The CEO’s statement follows reporting from Reuters that Intel has struggled with quality controls in manufacturing of its next-generation chip.
