The US government is reportedly considering taking a financial stake in Intel, a move that follows criticism of Intel's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, by Donald Trump. This potential investment, discussed during a meeting between Trump and Tan, could significantly impact the US chip industry and national security. The Wall Street Journal initially reported these discussions, although Intel has dismissed them as rumours. The context for this consideration comes after Senator Tom Cotton accused Tan of having ties to the Chinese Communist Party, prompting Trump to publicly demand Tan's resignation.
Cotton's concerns stem from Tan's alleged control over numerous Chinese companies, some of which reportedly have links to the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Further scrutiny arises from Tan's previous role as CEO of Cadence Design Systems, which pleaded guilty to illegally selling products to a Chinese military university. These allegations have led to questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly in light of Intel receiving $8 billion in CHIPS Act funding aimed at boosting US chip manufacturing. Concerns have also been raised that Tan may have significant investments in China, much like other US executives and firms, calling into question the nature of the attacks.
Despite the controversy, Trump seems to have been impressed by Tan, potentially paving the way for a deal that could benefit Intel's planned $28 billion chip complex in Ohio. This intervention is reminiscent of Trump's past dealings, such as the proposed TikTok buyout and revenue-sharing agreements with Nvidia and AMD for China chip sales. Intel's current struggles in the chip manufacturing market may be driving the openness to such a deal. The company has faced challenges from competitors like Nvidia and experienced its first unprofitable year since 1986. A potential pivot towards a next-generation chipmaking process, as reportedly planned by Tan, could involve significant write-offs, making government investment an appealing option.
Such a deal would deepen government involvement in the US chip industry, considered vital for national security. Some observers are comparing this situation to the proposed TikTok deal, where the US sought to acquire ownership to address national security concerns. Others see the attacks on Intel as a proxy for attacks on Biden and the CHIPS Act itself, due to Trump's efforts to undermine his predecessor's policies. Meanwhile, concerns are also being raised about the nature of Trump's trade war and whether it's truly motivated by national security interests. US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi is questioning Trump's decision to allow Nvidia to resume exports of AI chips to China, expressing worries about eroding the US technological edge.
Fuente Original: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/us-may-purchase-stake-in-intel-after-trump-attacked-ceo/
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