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Trump Administration Explores Potential Stake in Intel Amid Push for Domestic Chip Manufacturing

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The Trump administration is reportedly in discussions with Intel (INTC.O) to potentially acquire a stake in the U.S. chipmaker, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the talks. The move would be another example of President Donald Trump’s interventions in industries considered critical to national security. In the past, Trump has promoted multibillion-dollar government partnerships in semiconductors and rare-earth minerals, including a deal with Nvidia (NVDA.O) and an arrangement with MP Materials.

Intel declined to comment on the report but reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the administration’s efforts to bolster U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership. White House spokesman Kush Desai cautioned that discussions about “hypothetical deals” should be viewed as speculation until officially announced.

Intel shares rose more than 7% during regular trading and added another 2.6% in after-hours trading. The discussions follow a recent meeting between Trump and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, occurring just days after Trump publicly called for Tan’s resignation over his investments in Chinese technology firms, some of which have ties to the Chinese military. Details about the size of the stake and pricing are still under negotiation.

Analysts suggest the government stake would likely aim to support Intel’s domestic manufacturing expansion and job creation. Intel has previously warned it may need to exit chip manufacturing without sufficient external customers and has planned to slow construction on new Ohio factories. CEO Lip-Bu Tan, in his role for just over six months, has been tasked with reversing years of setbacks that left Intel behind in the fast-growing AI chip market dominated by Nvidia.

Market experts note that any potential deal could include tariffs designed to encourage major clients like Nvidia, AMD (AMD.O), and Apple (AAPL.O) to utilize Intel Foundry services. While government stakes in companies are not unprecedented, some investors question whether Intel, with stable revenue exceeding $50 billion annually despite a loss in industry leadership, requires direct government investment.

Beijing E-Town Sues Applied Materials Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft

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Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technologies, a government-backed Chinese semiconductor equipment company, has filed a lawsuit against U.S. chip equipment supplier Applied Materials, accusing it of illegally obtaining and using trade secrets related to plasma sources and wafer surface treatment. The company seeks 99.99 million yuan ($13.94 million) in damages.

According to Beijing E-Town, Applied Materials disclosed technical secrets by applying for a patent in China and claiming the patent’s application rights. Applied Materials has not responded to requests for comment.

The dispute traces back to 2016 when Beijing E-Town acquired California-based semiconductor equipment designer Mattson Technology. Applied Materials previously sued Mattson in 2022, alleging it had hired former Applied Materials employees to steal trade secrets. Mattson countered with similar accusations in 2023.

In the new lawsuit filed at the Beijing Intellectual Property Court, Beijing E-Town claims that Applied Materials employed two former Mattson employees who later became principal inventors on a patent filed in China. This patent allegedly disclosed confidential technology jointly held by Beijing E-Town and Mattson. Beijing E-Town asserts that Applied Materials’ actions violated China’s fair competition law and constituted trade secret infringement.

The Beijing court has accepted the case, but no hearing has been scheduled yet.

Trump’s Nvidia Deal Sparks Corporate and National Security Concerns

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U.S. President Donald Trump has created a highly unusual precedent by allowing Nvidia (NVDA.O) and AMD (AMD.O) to resume AI chip exports to China in exchange for a 15% revenue cut to the U.S. government, raising questions about corporate risk and national security.

KEY DETAILS

  • Historically, U.S. export controls on sensitive technologies were non-negotiable, meaning companies could not circumvent restrictions through payments.

  • Trump’s move reverses a prior ban on H20 chips and suggests a potential future sale of scaled-down Blackwell chips to China.

  • The administration claims the national security risks are minimal, noting the H20 is Nvidia’s “fourth-best chip” and widely available in China.

REACTIONS FROM LAWMAKERS AND EXPERTS

  • Bipartisan U.S. lawmakers expressed concern about creating a “pay-for-play” framework for sensitive technology exports.

    • Rep. John Moolenaar: “Export controls are a frontline defense in protecting our national security.”

    • Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi: “Putting a price on our security concerns signals that national security principles are negotiable.”

  • Legal experts question the arrangement’s legality, debating whether it constitutes an export tax, which the U.S. Constitution prohibits.

  • Analysts warn it could pressure chipmakers’ margins and create a precedent for taxing strategic U.S. exports to China.

CORPORATE IMPLICATIONS

  • Nvidia confirmed compliance with U.S. export rules but did not detail the revenue-sharing mechanism.

  • AMD noted approval for chip exports but also did not clarify financial terms.

  • Analysts predict the 15% remittance could reduce margins for China-bound processors by 5–15 percentage points, impacting overall profitability.

CONCLUSION
Trump’s intervention marks a rare case of direct government influence on corporate exports, blending national security policy with financial leverage. Observers warn it could reshape how U.S. companies approach sales of sensitive technology in global markets.