Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Sounds Alarm Over Trump’s Tariff Turmoil: 'People Are Going To Feel It'
Ballmer's comments come at a time when major tech stocks are suffering steep declines.
As the ripple effects of President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies spread across the global economy, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is raising a red flag. Speaking during Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebration in Washington, Ballmer didn’t shy away from criticizing the wide-ranging tariffs on imports from over 100 countries, warning they could trigger lasting damage for investors, consumers, and the broader economy.
'This Kind of Thing Is Not Good'
Ballmer, who remains a major shareholder in Microsoft, expressed concern over the market volatility caused by the tariffs. “As a Microsoft shareholder, this kind of thing is not good,” he said in a conversation with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin.
His comments come at a time when major tech stocks are suffering steep declines — Microsoft fell by 3.5 per cent, Apple by 7.2 per cent, Google by 3.4 per cent, and Amazon by 4 per cent. The overall market hasn’t fared much better, with the S&P 500 sliding 6 per cent and the Nasdaq tumbling 5.8 per cent.
Long-Term Strategy Amid Short-Term Chaos
Despite the turbulent outlook, Ballmer urged businesses to stay the course and prioritize sustained investment over panic-driven pullbacks. In an interview with Yahoo Finance, he shared advice shaped by his own experience navigating Microsoft through the 2008 financial crisis.
“The thing I would say is to make sure that you … invest your way through the tumult which is today,” Ballmer said, urging leaders to keep a long-term mindset in the face of uncertainty. “Whether it's going to be a down economy, whether it's going to be pressure from governments around the world. If you take a long-term view, don't worry so much about the short-term and short-term profits; serve your customers well. Serve the governments and cultures in which you serve well. You will come out the back end.”
Tariffs Bring Economic Whiplash
Ballmer acknowledged that the full brunt of the tariffs is yet to be felt, but the signs are already concerning. “I took just enough economics in college to know that tariffs are actually going to bring some turmoil,” he quipped, emphasizing the unpredictability of the months ahead.
Beyond Wall Street’s reaction, Ballmer warned that the impact would be widespread, hitting everyday people. “People are feeling it, not just the stock market. People are going to feel it,” he said.
As the trade war deepens, Ballmer’s message is clear: the economic fallout may be just beginning, and staying focused on long-term goals is more critical than ever.
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