Microsoft has asked several hundred of its China-based employees to consider relocating. The development comes amid escalating tensions between the US and China.
The request, affecting approximately 700 to 800 workers involved in machine learning and cloud computing, was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
A Microsoft spokesperson said this move is part of the company’s standard global business management practices, offering internal transfer opportunities to its employees.
However, the spokesperson did not specify the exact number of employees involved.
“Providing internal opportunities is a regular part of managing our global business. As part of this process, we shared an optional internal transfer opportunity with a subset of employees,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the request, Microsoft said it remains committed to operating in China and other markets.
The employees, primarily Chinese engineers, have been given the option to transfer to locations such as the United States, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, as per sources cited by the WSJ.
This decision arises against the backdrop of worsening US-China relations, with the Biden administration raising tariffs on a range of Chinese imports such as electric vehicle batteries, computer chips, and medical products.