The increasingly tense and polarised global situation naturally affects business, and now several independent analyses agree that one of the world's largest companies is set to leave what is the planet's largest market for good: China.
This has been reported exclusively by sources consulted by Reuters, who state that, for several years now, at least 15 of Microsoft's branches and joint ventures in China have closed their doors, and that, in fact, the company had already considered in 2023 withdrawing completely from the country due to the poor financial performance of its operations there. At that time, estimated profits from China accounted for 1.5 per cent of the annual total.
Other US tech giants with significant business operations in China are also reconsidering their presence in the country due to geopolitical tensions. Apple plans to manufacture most of the iPhones it sells to US consumers in India by the end of 2026, whilst Elon Musk last month denied reports suggesting that Tesla was considering spinning off its business in China. US companies operating in China have long complained about unequal conditions, and their confidence has been further eroded by the deterioration in relations between China and the US.