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In the face of persistent transatlantic tensions, Microsoft is attempting to reassure European customers with a range of measures to support European ‘digital resilience’.
Tech giant Microsoft has announced five digital commitments to Europe, including support for European cloud and AI infrastructure, data privacy and cybersecurity.
In a blogpost penned by Microsoft vice-chair and president Brad Smith, a number of measures were revealed as part of Microsoft’s commitment to upholding European digital resilience “regardless of geopolitical and trade volatility”.
These commitments come as the administration of US president Donald Trump continues to strain ties with the EU through recent actions such as tariffs and persistent suggestions of acquiring Greenland.
“As a multinational company, we believe in transatlantic ties that promote mutual economic growth and prosperity,” wrote Smith. “We were pleased the Trump administration and the European Union recently agreed to suspend further tariff escalation while they seek to negotiate a reciprocal trade agreement.
“We hope that successful talks can resolve tariff issues and reduce non-tariff barriers.”
The first of Microsoft’s commitments details an expansion of Europe’s cloud and AI ecosystem, which includes plans to increase European data centre capacity by 40pc over the next two years. According to Smith, the tech giant will expand data centre operations in 16 European countries.
Microsoft’s second commitment consists of a promise to “uphold Europe’s digital resilience”, even in the face of “geopolitical volatility”.
As part of this promise, the company is instating a board of directors to oversee its European data centre operations. This board will be exclusively made up of European nationals and will operate under European law, according to Smith.
The company also declared its intention to fight any governmental order to suspend or cease cloud operations in Europe – including through litigation – should such an order arise.
Another of the tech giant’s digital commitments entails promise to protect European data privacy through means such as the recently implemented EU Data Boundary project, which allows European customers to have their data stored and processed in Europe.
The company also plans to “further strengthen and expand solutions” that allow European customers to control and protect their data.
Microsoft’s fourth commitment, as revealed by Smith, includes new measures to support European cybersecurity capabilities. As part of these measures, Microsoft will be appointing a new deputy chief information security officer to oversee the company’s cybersecurity activities on the continent.
Smith also wrote that Microsoft will work on improving compliance with the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act.
Finally, the company’s fifth commitment intends to “strengthen European competitiveness”, which includes continued support for open-source development through its AI Azure platform.
The US and the EU have butted heads frequently as of late, particularly in relation to EU regulations and how they affect Big Tech.
Just last week, the White House stated that fines recently imposed on Apple and Meta by the European Union were a “novel form of economic extortion”, and that the US would not tolerate them.
Despite the strained relations, Microsoft seems to be doubling down on its European connections.
“More than ever, it will be critical for us to help Europe harness the power of this new technology to strengthen its competitiveness,” wrote Smith.
“As we celebrated Microsoft’s 50th birthday earlier this month, we recognised that our longstanding presence in Europe has been a lynchpin of our success. Europe has treated us well.
“Our support for Europe has always been – and always will be – steadfast.”
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