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Ballmer Threatens To Pull Out of the US

Posted by Soulskill on from the tax-schmax dept.

theodp writes "Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is threatening to move Microsoft employees offshore if Congress enacts President Obama's plans to curb tax avoidance by US corporations. 'It makes US jobs more expensive,' complained billionaire Ballmer. 'We're better off taking lots of people and moving them out of the US as opposed to keeping them inside the US.' According to 2006 reports, Microsoft transferred $16 billion in assets to secretive Dublin subsidiaries to shave billions off its US tax bill. 'Corporate tax is part of the overall advantage of doing business in Ireland,' acknowledged Ballmer in 2005. 'It would be disingenuous to say otherwise.'"

4 of 1,142 comments (clear)

  1. And as a reward... by rkhalloran · · Score: 5, Interesting

    While it is a requirement of a corporation to maximize the shareholders' value, Ballmer is simply grandstanding and expecting the government to roll over for MS' benefit. The current administration is much less submissive to corporate political desires.

    The Administration should VERY publicly call them out and recommend government offices immediately develop a schedule for converting as much of the IT infrastructure as possible away from MS software.

  2. Re:Sure, move out. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Or, how will US government (e.g. its military) view the idea of using a 'foreign' OS?
    It would not surprise me if such a move would hasten a 'turning away from windows' trend in US government.
    And if the US government is anything like the EU on this, the consequence would be that other businesses would start migrating away from windows as well...
    I am no consultant with Mircrosoft, but if I were, I would advise against it... The strength of the Microsoft brandname is largely due to its US connection. Cut it, and it might very well dwindle overnight?

  3. Re:Sure, move out. by Narpak · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Or, how will US government (e.g. its military) view the idea of using a 'foreign' OS?

    Well I know that the Norwegian Military (particularly parts of the intelligence operations) decided that they would no longer trust or use Windows some years back.

    --
    The Long Now Foundation
  4. Like Nokia did in Finland by molukki · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Sounds familiar. Nokia threatened to leave Finland unless they get the right to spy on their employees. The law (named "Lex Nokia" by the media) was passed on March 11th and became effective beginning this month.