Trump Administration Considers Acquiring Stake in Struggling Intel

by Lee Seunghyeong

Published 15 Aug.2025 13:28(KST)

Bloomberg News reported on August 14 (local time), citing sources, that the Donald Trump administration is in talks with Intel regarding a plan for the U.S. government to acquire a stake in the struggling company.

Reuters Yonhap News

According to Bloomberg, this plan originated from a meeting between President Trump and Intel CEO Lipbu Tan on August 11. The details are still being finalized, and the exact size of the stake the government would acquire remains uncertain. While Intel has not commented directly on the plan, the company stated, "We are deeply committed to supporting President Trump's efforts to strengthen America's leadership in technology and manufacturing."

Bloomberg observed that if the government acquires a stake in Intel at a time when the company is cutting costs and reducing its workforce, the resulting capital injection could improve Intel's financial condition.

Intel's plan to build a semiconductor plant in Ohio could also gain momentum. Although Intel had previously pledged to make the Ohio facility the world's largest semiconductor manufacturing site, the project has faced multiple delays due to the company's financial difficulties.

Under the Trump administration, the government has been increasingly intervening in the management of key industries. The Trump administration agreed to allow Nvidia to export artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors to China in exchange for receiving 15% of the related sales. It also approved Nippon Steel's acquisition of US Steel in return for a golden share, granting the government significant influence over US Steel's major management decisions. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense decided to invest $400 million in a stake in MP Materials, a rare earth producer.