Trump Calls for Immediate Resignation of Intel CEO Over China Ties
August 7, 2025 – Updated 7:04 PM (Mecca Time)
Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly demanded on Thursday the resignation of Intel’s newly appointed CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, citing serious national security concerns tied to the executive's alleged affiliations with Chinese companies connected to the Chinese military.
Trump made the remarks on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he posted: "The CEO of Intel is in a deeply compromised position and must resign immediately. There is no other solution to this problem."
The comments came shortly after Republican Senator Tom Cotton revealed he had sent a formal letter to Intel questioning Tan’s business ties in China. According to Cotton’s published statement, the CEO reportedly maintains control over dozens of Chinese companies and holds shares in hundreds more, many operating in sectors like advanced manufacturing and semiconductors.
"At least eight of these companies are believed to have links to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China," Cotton noted in his letter, which is available on his official website.
In addition, Cotton highlighted Tan’s previous role as chairman of Cadence Design Systems, a U.S.-based electronic design automation company. Cadence, under Tan’s leadership, allegedly sold its technologies unlawfully to a Chinese military institution and shared sensitive technologies with a related semiconductor firm without the required licenses.
Following these revelations, Intel’s stock dropped by 2.67%, closing at $17.87 as of the last trading session.
Lip-Bu Tan, a veteran businessman originally from Malaysia, assumed leadership of Intel in March this year. Since taking the helm, he has initiated several restructuring efforts, including workforce reductions aimed at revitalizing the company amid trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
In recent statements, Tan acknowledged the difficult road ahead, remarking, “The challenges facing Intel are significant and will not be easy to overcome.”
Industry analysts are now closely watching Intel’s next moves as the controversy unfolds, and questions mount regarding the extent of Chinese influence in key sectors of American tech infrastructure.
Source: AFP, CNBC