Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer advises companies facing the impact of President Trump's tariffs to persevere and focus on investment. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective, prioritizing customer service, and innovation despite economic challenges or government pressure. Ballmer shared his experience of steering Microsoft successfully through the Great Recession by emphasizing continuous investment and innovation to serve customers well. He credits the company's success in transitioning to the cloud during his tenure, leading to healthy competition and growth. Ballmer stresses the significance of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to developing new products and maintaining its competitive edge, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence alongside industry leaders like Amazon and Google.