Microsoft expands European footprint amid global trade tensions

The provider will boost its regional computing capacity by 40%, expanding operations in 16 European countries, President and Vice Chair Brad Smith said Wednesday.

Dive Brief:

• Microsoft unveiled plans to boost its compute capacity in Europe amid rising tensions between the U.S, and the European Union, according to a Monday blog post published by Brad Smith, the company’s president and vice chair.
• The company aims to increase its European data center capacity by 40% in the next two years, boosting its presence in 16 European nations. “When combined with our recent construction, the plans we’re announcing today will more than double our European datacenter capacity between 2023 and 2027,” Smith said. 
• The move is aimed at helping companies in Europe “navigate the uncertain geopolitical and trade environment,” Smith said, as enterprises in the region look for ways to manage risks.