Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says, as shareholder, tariffs are 'not good'

Steve Ballmer, former chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp., speaks during an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the company at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, US, on Friday, April 4, 2025. Microsoft Corp., determined to hold its ground in artificial intelligence, will soon let consumers tailor the Copilot digital assistant to their own needs. President Trump's new tariffs on goods that the U.S. imports from over 100 countries will have an effect on consumers, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told CNBC on Friday. Investors will feel the pain, too. Microsoft's stock dropped almost 6% in the past two days, as the Nasdaq wrapped up its worst week in five years. "As a Microsoft shareholder, this kind of thing is not good," Ballmer said, in an interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin that was tied to Microsoft's 50th anniversary celebration. "It creates opportunity to be a serious, long-term player." Ballmer was sandwiched in between Microsoft co-founder Bill Gat ... Read full article.