Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of SoftBank, has become one of former US President Donald Trump’s most prominent foreign business allies, according to the Financial Times. His investments in major US technology companies, including OpenAI and Intel, followed extensive personal courting of the president and his administration.
Son’s approach reflects a strategic alignment of SoftBank’s global ambitions with US policy priorities under Trump. By positioning the Japanese conglomerate as a key investor in high-profile American tech ventures, Son secured not only lucrative deals but also an unusual degree of political goodwill. Observers say his ability to gain direct access to Trump — unusual for foreign business leaders — helped SoftBank navigate regulatory scrutiny and strengthen its presence in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing.
The relationship underscores the growing intersection of politics and private investment in strategic industries. SoftBank’s backing of OpenAI, for instance, coincided with heightened US interest in advancing AI capabilities, while the deal with Intel aligned with national efforts to bolster domestic semiconductor production. Analysts note that such timing may have contributed to the perception of Son as a “favoured investor,” blending commercial strategy with geopolitical sensitivity.
Industry insiders say Son’s methodical engagement with Trump and his team set him apart from other foreign investors, many of whom faced hurdles in accessing the administration’s inner circles. “Masayoshi Son combined patience, personal diplomacy, and strategic timing,” said one source familiar with SoftBank’s dealings. “It’s not just capital; it’s the ability to speak the language of American policy priorities that matters.”
SoftBank’s expanding footprint in the US has had mixed reception among lawmakers and market participants. While some welcome foreign investment that supports technological leadership and job creation, others raise concerns over national security and foreign influence in strategic sectors. Nonetheless, the SoftBank-Trump dynamic highlights the increasingly personal nature of high-stakes investment in the United States, where individual relationships can shape major corporate deals.