U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded the immediate resignation of Intel (INTC.O) CEO Lip-Bu Tan over concerns of his extensive investments in Chinese firms, just months after he assumed leadership of the struggling chipmaker.
Tan has invested in hundreds of Chinese technology firms, including at least eight with links to the People's Liberation Army, Reuters reported in April.
On Wednesday, Reuters exclusively reported that Republican Senator Tom Cotton questioned Tan's ties to Chinese firms and a recent criminal case involving his former company Cadence Design (CDNS.O).
Some analysts and investors said Tan's deep knowledge of the Chinese semiconductor landscape is a strategic asset. Others see the political pressure as a sign of growing uncertainty around Intel.
Here are some key quotes.
ANSHEL SAG, PRINCIPAL ANALYST AT MOOR INSIGHTS & STRATEGY
"I believe that POTUS shouldn't be calling for any CEO to be stepping down, especially not one who just took the job this year. I think this all boils down to Lip-Bu's past involvement and investment in Chinese semiconductors, which is also what makes him so valuable as CEO."
"He's more aware than most people on earth of China's capabilities and should be an asset to the U.S. and Intel."
DAVID WAGNER, HEAD OF EQUITY AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER AT APTUS CAPITAL ADVISORS, AN INTEL SHAREHOLDER
"While I can understand that many investors likely believe that President Trump has his hand in too many cookie jars, it's just another signal that he's very serious about trying to bring business back to the U.S. He has momentum from the Apple deal and now hoping that a few more businesses fall into place."
RYUTA MAKINO, RESEARCH ANALYST AT GABELLI FUNDS, AN INTEL INVESTOR
"I think Trump is mostly attacking Lip-Bu because he wanted to stop the manufacturing business if Intel 14A doesn't work out with external customers. More speculation whether Trump is making some deals with TSMC to do something with Intel. I think it's very much a political move."
BLAKE ANDERSON, ASSOCIATE PORTFOLIO MANAGER AT CARSON GROUP
"Investors remaining focused on issues like these hint that the company's manufacturing turnaround, and long-term viability, may be dependent on factors external to the company and thus increase long-term uncertainty."
SHIRAZ AHMED, FOUNDER AND CEO AT SARTORIAL WEALTH
"It's not surprising. I mean we're seeing the administration step in and point fingers at private or corporate CEOs. It's not the first time he's done it, it's likely not the last time he'll do it."
PHIL BLANCATO, CEO OF LADENBURG THALMANN ASSET MANAGEMENT
"It would be setting a very unfortunate precedent. You don't want American presidents dictating who runs companies, but certainly his opinion has merit and weight. The board of Intel will have to determine if that's something they would consider in their evaluation."
"But this CEO is fairly new. So on one hand, I don't think the U.S. president has the ability to do that. I'm not sure that that's a good idea for any political official."
"But certainly, when you look at where the company stands today, it hasn't benefited greatly over the last few years. And I think it's more than just a CEO issue here. It's the company's need for real, radical change."
