In a significant move to safeguard its European operations amid escalating transatlantic trade tensions, Microsoft has pledged to contest any U.S. government directives that could disrupt its cloud services in Europe. This commitment was articulated by Microsoft's President, Brad Smith, during a speech in Brussels on April 30, 2025. (apnews.com)
Smith emphasized that Microsoft would "promptly and vigorously contest such a measure using all legal avenues available, including by pursuing litigation in court." This assurance aims to alleviate concerns among European customers, including governmental bodies, about potential service interruptions stemming from geopolitical volatility. (apnews.com)
To further solidify its commitment to the European market, Microsoft announced plans to increase its data center capacity in Europe by 40% over the next two years. This expansion will extend operations to 16 countries, with annual investments reaching tens of billions of dollars. These initiatives are part of Microsoft's broader strategy to support Europe's digital infrastructure and address calls for greater technological sovereignty within the region. (apnews.com)
This proactive stance by Microsoft underscores the company's dedication to maintaining uninterrupted cloud services for its European clientele, even in the face of potential geopolitical challenges.
Source: Computing UK https://www.computing.co.uk/news/2025/cloud/microsoft-threat-to-sue-if-azure-is-targeted-in-eu-us-tariff-war/
