Post by : Minna

Japan-based technology investor SoftBank Group has announced that it will put US$2 billion into Intel, one of America’s most famous chipmaking companies. The announcement came on Monday, with SoftBank saying that this investment is part of its larger plan to strengthen its presence in the United States.

The investment comes at a time when Intel is facing challenges from Asian chipmakers such as TSMC in Taiwan and Samsung in South Korea, which currently dominate the global semiconductor market. Intel, once the strongest name in Silicon Valley, has struggled in recent years to keep up with the fast-changing chip industry.

SoftBank said it will buy Intel shares at US$23 each, showing confidence in Intel’s long-term future.

US Government Considering Its Stake

What makes this investment even more interesting is that the US government is also considering taking a 10% stake in Intel. Reports in American media say that the Trump administration has been discussing this move to help secure the country’s semiconductor industry.

The United States wants to reduce its dependence on Asian chipmakers and ensure that more advanced semiconductor manufacturing takes place on American soil. By supporting Intel, both SoftBank and the US government aim to push the company back to the front of the global technology race.

Masayoshi Son’s Growing US Investments

This investment is part of a much larger plan by Masayoshi Son, the charismatic founder of SoftBank. Son has been making several major deals in the United States recently, often standing alongside US President Donald Trump to announce them.

Earlier this year, Son revealed SoftBank’s leading role in the Stargate project, a US$500 billion plan to build artificial intelligence infrastructure in America. That project also includes partnerships with Oracle and OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. The Stargate project was announced in January at the White House with Trump and other major investors present.

With this new Intel deal, it is clear that Son wants SoftBank to be seen as one of the strongest backers of America’s technology future.

Intel CEO Welcomes the Deal

Intel’s Chief Executive Officer, Tan Lip-Bu, welcomed SoftBank’s investment. He said that SoftBank has always been at the cutting edge of new technologies and innovation, making it a valuable partner for Intel.

Tan highlighted that this partnership would help Intel continue its efforts to strengthen US leadership in advanced chip manufacturing. He also stressed that the deal shows Intel’s commitment to working closely with trusted partners to compete in the global semiconductor industry.

Politics Around Intel’s Future

Intel’s leadership has also been under the spotlight in recent weeks. President Trump had earlier called for Tan Lip-Bu to resign after concerns were raised about his past links to companies in China. A Republican senator had questioned whether these ties could pose risks to national security.

However, after meeting with Tan last week, Trump appeared to soften his stance. He praised Tan on social media, calling his career “an amazing story of success and rise.” Trump also said his cabinet members would work with Tan and provide suggestions for Intel’s future.

This shows how important Intel has become in political discussions, not just as a company but as a symbol of America’s fight to regain its place in the global technology industry.

Intel’s Struggle and the Global Chip Race

Intel has a long and proud history in Silicon Valley. For decades, it was the company that set the standard for computer processors and helped power the personal computer revolution.

But in recent years, Intel has fallen behind rivals such as Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung, both of which dominate the foundry business — the part of the industry that makes chips designed by other companies. Big names like Apple, Qualcomm, and Nvidia all rely on TSMC for their most advanced chips.

Intel has been trying to catch up by building more factories in the US and investing in new technologies. The support from both SoftBank and the US government could give Intel the push it needs to compete again on the world stage.

Why This Matters for the Future

The global semiconductor industry is not just about business — it is also about national security, technology leadership, and economic strength. Chips are the backbone of everything from smartphones and computers to cars and military equipment.

By supporting Intel, both SoftBank and the US government are making it clear that they do not want America to fall further behind in this crucial sector. If Intel can return to its former strength, it could help the US reduce its dependence on Asian chipmakers and protect its supply chain from future disruptions.

SoftBank’s US$2 billion investment in Intel is more than just a business deal. It is part of a bigger story about the global race for technology leadership. With the US government also considering a 10% stake in Intel, the company now stands at the center of one of the most important economic and political battles of our time.

For Masayoshi Son, this deal adds another step in his mission to tie SoftBank closely to America’s technology future. For Intel, it could be the support it needs to rise again. And for the United States, it could be a critical move to secure its place in the semiconductor race.

SoftBank, Intel, Masayoshi Son, Tan Lip-Bu, Trump, US semiconductor industry