Also: Reddit's debut, Intel CEO's new chip goals, Asian innovation. 
Good morning.
Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins kicked off the conversation at Fortune’s CEO Initiative dinner in New York last night. He had spent the week talking about his company’s $28 billion deal to acquire software firm Splunk, so we stayed away from that topic and instead focused on his role as chairman of the Business Roundtable—the leading advocate for big business in Washington. I asked him why he took the job, given the desire most CEOs have to steer clear of politics. He joked that “there must have been eight or nine people before me who turned down the job,” then continued:
“Look, it’s important. It matters. Business needs to have a voice, and we need to continue to try and drive pragmatism into the otherwise crazy world we all live in. I’m game to give it a try.”
I told him that my perception was that the Business Roundtable has less influence today than it had in the past.
“On the surface, you could make that argument. Behind the scenes, it may not be as true as it seems.”
Not surprisingly, he dodged my question of which candidate he prefers to see in the White House, answering instead:
“We as CEOs are going to work with whoever is in the White House. It behooves us and behooves the country for us to try and move forward pro-growth policies. If we have a Trump administration or a Biden administration, there are things we can align on in both.”
And he defended the Business Roundtable’s efforts to promote a broader view of “stakeholder” capitalism,” despite the political pushback that effort has provoked.
“I still think it is important. If we create an environment that is good for our employees, that’s a good thing. If we create an environment that creates healthy communities, that’s a good thing. If we also create positive outcomes for our shareholders, positive outcomes for our customers, positive outcomes for our partners, what’s bad about that?”
For March Madness fans, I noted Robbins played freshman basketball at the University of North Carolina—my alma mater. He told this story:
“I had a really good freshman year and I was playing junior varsity, and I called [Coach] Roy Williams and said I’m not going to play anymore. And he said, ‘You are going to regret this someday.’ When I became CEO of Cisco, I saw him, and he said: ‘I guess everything worked out okay.’”
More news below.
Alan Murray
@alansmurray
alan.murray@fortune.com
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Reddit’s debut
Reddit shares will start trading Thursday after the social media company raised $519 million in its IPO. The offering values the company at $6.5 billion, less than the $10 billion valuation it got in 2021. Reddit offered users the chance to buy shares, but some Redditors were wary of the company’s long-term prospects, like its reliance on digital ads. CNBC
Intel’s CEO aims high
Intel wants the U.S. and Europe to make half of the world’s advanced semiconductors by the end of the decade, CEO Pat Gelsinger writes in a Fortune opinion piece. Currently, Asia manufactures 80% of all chips. The U.S. government on Wednesday awarded Intel $8.5 billion in federal grants and $11 billion in loans for the chipmaker to expand its domestic operations. Fortune
Asian innovation
Green tech, AI, and EVs dominate the Asia Future 30, a collection of 30 Asian firms poised for future growth in a list compiled by Fortune and BCG. The EV boom is boosting the growth prospects of both manufacturers–like Li Auto and BYD–and their suppliers–like battery makers CATL and POSCO Future M. Meanwhile, South Korea is emerging as a hub for vitality outside of China, thanks to its growing middle class and trendsetting power. Fortune
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Retailers Looking for Loyalty As retailers look to woo price-sensitive consumers in 2024, loyalty will have to be earned. Deloitte’s 2024 Retail Outlook examines how retailers can rebuild trust to drive loyalty and rekindle profitability through experiences and personalization. Read more.
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