Intel and Alibaba, China’s equivalent of Amazon, have gone ahead with a partnership over AI developments despite the friction imposed by the ongoing trade standoff between the US and China. However, this comes as little surprise to followers of both companies, which have been pursuing global strategies knowing that the potential long-term gains outweigh risks and short-term challenges. It is true that the trade tensions have led Alibaba to step up investment in its own semiconductor business as a hedge against tariffs and constraints, but for now it recognizes the value of Intel hardware for its cloud strategy. Intel meanwhile sees Alibaba with its huge presence in Chinese retail and eCommerce as a major outlet for its chips and technology.…