Microsoft isn't done with the UK's CMA just yet. However, a new report suggests that the tech giant may pull out of the UK to circumvent theCMA's decision to block the Activision deal should the meeting next week go south.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Microsoft could opt to pull Activision games from the UK market as a last resort to the disapproval of its proposed acquisition of the Call of Duty and Diablo 4 publisher. The verdict is still under appeal with a decision set to be announced late in July after additional evidence is heard in court. Microsoft may be looking at its options should it not get a favorable decision.
Microsoft president Brad Smith is reportedly personally visiting the UK and hopes to meet the UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to discuss potential remedies to the CMA ruling. Smith will be in the country to conduct a talk about Artificial Intelligence and strengthened regulations around the technology. He will also be holding a number of private functions in the country.
The meeting with the UK Chancellor is quite notable as Hunt previously said to the CMA to "understand their wider responsibilities" to the region's economic growth. The comment was made after the CMA was attacked for denying the deal.