Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan stated Thursday he had “always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards” after President Trump demanded he resign, seemingly over Tan’s alleged ties to China.

“We are engaging with the Administration to address the matters that have been raised and ensure they have the facts,” the Intel chief stated in a press release, including that he had the backing of the corporate’s board. “I fully share the President’s commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security, I appreciate his leadership to advance these priorities, and I’m proud to lead a company that is so central to these goals.”

Trump supplied few particulars in his name Thursday for Tan to step down, writing on Reality Social that the CEO was “highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.”

The president’s request got here after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) despatched a letter to the chief voicing considerations about whether or not Tan had questionable ties to Beijing.

Previous to becoming a member of Intel in March, the Intel chief was a enterprise capitalist and made important investments all through East Asia, together with in China.

The pushback additionally comes as many tech CEOs have appeared to be cozying as much as Trump in his second time period.

On Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner offered the president with a custom-made plaque with a strong gold base, as the corporate seems to be to navigate the administration’s newest tariffs. Throughout an occasion on the White Home, Trump introduced that Apple would make investments an $100 billion in manufacturing within the U.S.

Intel is an important participant within the U.S.’s chip manufacturing arms race with China. Tan stated in his assertion that the corporate could be “ramping toward” making superior semiconductors later this yr.

The CEO’s assertion follows reporting from Reuters that Intel has struggled with quality control in manufacturing of its next-generation chip.