Intel chief looking to regain Trump’s trust in White House meeting (updated)

Intel CEO Lip‑Bu Tan is slated to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, just days after Trump publicly demanded his resignation. Trump characterized Tan as “highly conflicted” due to his extensive business ties to Chinese manufacturing and semiconductor firms, including some with alleged connections to the Chinese military. Tan’s former company, Cadence Design Systems, settled with US authorities for over 140 million dollars for violating export restrictions by selling chip‑design software to a Chinese military university.

In a letter to employees, Tan addressed “misinformation” about his past. “I want to be absolutely clear: Over 40+ years in the industry, I’ve built relationships around the world and across our diverse ecosystem – and I have always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards. My reputation has been built on trust – on doing what I say I’ll do, and doing it the right way. This is the same way I am leading Intel,” he wrote.

Born in Malaysia, Tan is a longtime American citizen. He is regarded as an accomplished leader in the semiconductor industry, with a career spanning more than three decades. He built his reputation as CEO and later executive chairman of Cadence Design Systems, steering the company from financial uncertainty to dominance in electronic design automation. Beyond Cadence, Tan founded Walden International, a venture capital firm that has funded hundreds of tech companies worldwide.

In other Intel news, Tan has reportedly resisted internal proposals to sell or spin off parts of Intel’s fabrication business, arguing that maintaining control over manufacturing is essential for the company’s competitiveness. He has warned, however, that in-house manufacturing will only continue if at least one major customer gets on board.

**Update: Relations appear to be improving. "The meeting was a very interesting one. His success and rise is an amazing story. Mr. Tan and my Cabinet members are going to spend time together, and bring suggestions to me during the next week," President Trump wrote on Truth Social after the meeting had concluded.