SoftBank Invests $2 Billion in Intel to Boost U.S. Semiconductor and AI Growth
Japan-based tech investor SoftBank Group announced Tuesday that it will invest $2 billion in Intel. The deal comes as the U.S. government reportedly considers taking a 10-percent stake in the struggling chipmaker.
SoftBank will pay $23 per share of Intel common stock. Meanwhile, reports indicate the Trump administration is exploring a roughly 10-percent stake in Intel to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor sector.
Expanding U.S. Investments and AI Ambitions
Since Mr. Trump returned to power, Mr. Son has unveiled additional investment plans in the United States. Notably, SoftBank leads the $500-billion Stargate project, which aims to develop AI infrastructure alongside Oracle and OpenAI. Mr. Son appeared at the White House in January with President Trump and other investors to announce the initiative.
Intel’s Position in the Global Semiconductor Market
Despite its iconic status, Intel has faced challenges as Asian competitors TSMC and Samsung dominate the semiconductor industry. Sharon Chen, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, described SoftBank’s investment as “small” but noted it “suggests the company could invest more in the semiconductor industry as it seeks to be a key participant in the sector’s development.”
Mr. Trump previously urged Mr. Tan to resign immediately due to concerns over ties to Chinese firms. He later praised Tan and confirmed that cabinet members would work with him and provide suggestions to support his leadership
