Trump Praises Intel CEO After Demanding Resignation Just Days Earlier

President Donald Trump met with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan at the White House on Monday, marking a swift shift in tone from his recent public demand for Tan’s resignation. The meeting, which took place days after Trump accused Tan of being “highly conflicted” due to his past leadership at Cadence Design and concerns over potential ties to China, included Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent [1]. Trump described the discussion as “very interesting” and praised Tan’s career path as “an amazing story,” signaling a thaw in their relationship [1].

Intel confirmed that the meeting involved a “candid and constructive discussion” focused on the company’s role in bolstering U.S. leadership in technology and manufacturing [1]. This comes after a Thursday post in which Trump called for Tan’s resignation, citing concerns raised by Republican Senator Tom Cotton [2]. Cotton had previously questioned whether Tan needed to divest from any investments in Chinese chipmakers linked to the Chinese Communist Party or the People’s Liberation Army [3]. Intel responded by reiterating its “deep commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security interests” [1].

The administration’s heightened engagement with the semiconductor industry reflects broader efforts to assert control over strategic sectors amid the U.S.-China technology rivalry. Trump’s recent deal with Nvidia, under which the company agreed to give the U.S. government a 15% cut of sales from its H20 chips to China in exchange for new export licenses, exemplifies this strategy [1]. Trump revealed in a press conference that he had initially sought a 20% cut but agreed to 15% after negotiations with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang [1].

Tan, who took over as Intel CEO in March 2025, has faced significant challenges in stabilizing the company amid competition from firms like Nvidia and financial losses from expanding its foundry business. He has already taken steps to cut costs, including the cancellation of manufacturing plants in Germany and Poland and slowing expansion in Ohio [4]. Despite these moves, Tan has acknowledged the difficulty of the turnaround and emphasized that time and patience are needed [4]. Intel shares rose 3% for the year as of Monday’s close, underperforming the S&P 500’s 8.4% gain [1].

The public shift in Trump’s stance underscores the volatile political climate in which corporate leaders operate under the current administration. While the meeting with Tan appears to have softened the president’s tone, the broader scrutiny of foreign business ties remains a central issue. As Intel continues to navigate both operational and political challenges, its alignment with U.S. national interests will likely remain under close observation.

Source: [1] title: Trump calls Intel CEO 'success' days after demanding ... (https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/intel-ceo-trump-lip-bu-tan.html)

[2] title: President Trump Calls Intel C.E.O. a 'Success' After Meeting (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/technology/president-trump-intel-ceo.html)

[3] title: Trump meets with Intel CEO after calling for his ouster (https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/8/11/trump-expected-to-meet-with-intel-ceo-after-calling-for-his-ouster)

[4] title: Trump Says Intel CEO Has 'Amazing Story,' Sets Cabinet ... (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-11/intel-ceo-to-meet-trump-after-president-s-call-for-resignation)