Intel’s Lip-Bu Tan Flips Trump’s Criticism into $5.7B Deal Through Strategic Diplomacy
Intel's CEO Lip-Bu Tan transformed a public rebuke from former President Donald Trump into a landmark $5.7 billion agreement, securing the U.S. government as Intel's largest shareholder. The deal was cemented during a 40-minute Oval Office meeting where Tan Leveraged his Malaysian-Chinese heritage, U.S. education, and venture capital expertise to address concerns about his China ties.
Tan's preparation included rallying support from tech titans like Microsoft's Satya Nadella and Nvidia's Jensen Huang, who vouched for his credibility. A spokesperson from Celesta Capital confirmed Tan's limited China exposure, noting a single investment exited in 2020.
The CEO's unconventional background—spanning nuclear engineering and venture capital—proved instrumental in reframing Intel's narrative. His post-meeting quip, "Make Intel great again," delivered on camera, underscored the political savvy behind the turnaround.
