(Alex Wroblewski/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Just days after demanding Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s resignation, President Trump has reversed course, hailing the executive as a success following a White House meeting.
“The meeting was a very interesting one. His success and rise is an amazing story,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday.
The abrupt turnaround is surprising, considering Trump seemed insistent on ousting Tan from Intel while alluding to the executive’s past ties to China. “There is no other solution to this problem,” the president wrote on Thursday.
Trump didn’t offer details about the meeting, saying only that, “Mr. Tan and my Cabinet members are going to spend time together, and bring suggestions to me during the next week."
According to IT analyst Patrick Moorhead, the statement suggests that Trump gave Tan an “extension," which mirrors how the Trump administration has often threatened, then delayed its tariffs on foreign countries.
In a brief statement, Intel said the meeting led to a “candid and constructive discussion on Intel’s commitment to strengthening US technology and manufacturing leadership.
“We appreciate the President’s strong leadership to advance these critical priorities and look forward to working closely with him and his Administration as we restore this great American company,” the company added.
Tan is facing scrutiny from Trump and Republican Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) because Tan reportedly invested in numerous Chinese tech companies, including at least eight with links to China’s military, prior to becoming Intel's CEO in March. Tan also used to be the leader of Cadence Design Systems, a San Jose-based semiconductor company that recently pleaded guilty to illegally exporting sensitive design technologies to China.
Intel hasn’t responded to questions clarifying if Tan remains invested in any Chinese companies. But in a memo last week, Tan told Intel employees: “I’ve built relationships around the world and across our diverse ecosystem – and I have always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards.”