Intel boss denies conflict of interest amid uproar over Chinese ventures

Lip-Bu Tan, the CEO of Intel Corporation—one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers—has stated that he is in communication with the White House to clarify allegations concerning his alleged links to China. His remarks were published on Intel's official website.

Tan questioned the legitimacy of the accusations, stating: “We are engaging with the Administration to address the matters that have been raised and ensure they have the facts.”

He expressed concern over what he described as “misunderstandings” and is seeking to resolve them through direct engagement with federal officials.

While addressing the controversy, Tan underscored his alignment with President Trump’s stance on protecting US economic interests and prioritising national security. “I fully share the President’s commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security,” he said. Tan also praised Trump's leadership in this area, adding, “I appreciate his leadership to advance these priorities,” although he stopped short of saying whether he would comply with Trump’s call to resign.

The controversy began when Republican Senator Tom Cotton accused Tan of having unacceptable connections with Chinese firms, citing the ongoing strategic and technological rivalry—often referred to as the “chip war”—between the US and China. Cotton described such ties as “unacceptable,” given the sensitive nature of the semiconductor sector.

President Trump later weighed in, calling on Tan to step down, arguing that such affiliations represented a conflict of interest that was incompatible with holding a top leadership role in a company so central to national security.

Tan was appointed CEO of Intel in March 2025. Before that, he served as a senior executive at Cadence Design Systems, a prominent software firm specialising in tools for the automated design of electronic devices.

During his tenure at Cadence, Tan reportedly made hundreds of investments in Chinese tech firms through the venture capital firm Walden International, as well as two Hong Kong-registered entities: Sakarya Limited and Seine Limited.

Further scrutiny was fueled by a July report from Bloomberg, which revealed that Cadence—while under Tan’s leadership—pleaded guilty to violating US export control laws. The company admitted to selling equipment to China’s National University of Defence Technology, a military-linked institution subject to US sanctions.

By Tamilla Hasanova