Weekly Quiz: Why is Microsoft ‘pausing’ data centres? | How does LiuGong see Europe? | ‘Can’t turn back time’ on tariffs

1) Microsoft announced it is ‘slowing or pausing’ early-stage data centre construction projects. How did the company’s president of cloud computing Noelle Walsh explain the move?

• “Any significant new endeavour at this size and scale requires agility and refinement as we learn and grow with our customers”

• “We are aligning our construction pace with evolving global energy availability”

• ”This decision reflects our commitment to optimizing operational efficiency before expanding further”

2) In her opening speech at Bauma this week, Germany’s minister of housing, urban development and construction Klara Geywitz said the machines on display at the show demonstrated what?

• The European construction market is set to rebound in 2025

• International co-operation among manufacturers

• That the Trump administration is making the right decisions with regards to imposing trade tariffs on imports to the US

3) How did Chinese OEM LiuGong describe the European market when it comes to exports of its construction equipment?

• ‘A secondary focus compared to emerging economies’

• ‘A key growth market’

• ‘Saturated with established brands’

4) How did Volvo CE president Melker Jernberg describe the pace of electrification of construction equipment, while speaking at Bauma?

• ‘Slower than wanted or needed’

• ‘Running at breakneck speed’

• ‘Satisfactory’

5) Construction activity continues to decline in France and Germany, according to a survey of buyers in March. But which country saw its strongest increase since January 2024?

• Italy

• Austria

• Spain

Submit Answers