The Global Small Business Blog

Monday, April 07, 2025

Today in Global Small Business: SNL's Latest Episode Where Trump Provides an Update On His Recent Tariffs

©iStock/Ray Orton

What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

Oh, have some fun with SNL's latest episode where Trump provides an update on his recent tariffs.
Trade.gov is still up and running. Here's the part I like best: Are you experiencing a trade barrier? Go here. Is there anyone who is NOT experiencing a trade barrier right now?
EXIM is still up and running – doing its best to keep America strong.
Quote of the week: “There is one and only one social responsibility of business—to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits.” – Milton Friedman
SBA's Office of International Trade is still up and running.
Defiant Trump vows to stay the course as countries scramble over tariffs.

Saturday, April 05, 2025

Winter Hibernation is Over

"Winter hibernation is over – let's catch up!" – common informal expression, not attributed to a specific person

Friday, April 04, 2025

Globalization is Not Dead But It's Evolving

©iStock/Wirestock

Get a glimpse of what NY Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman has to say in, "I Just Saw the Future. It Was Not in America."

It would take years for American car companies to replace the global supply chains they depend on and make everything in America. Even Tesla has to import some parts.

With the new era of protectionism, consumers will pay more and have less choice. Eliminating foreign competition, well, makes me [Laurel Delaney] think we will each be sewing our own Nike running shoes, if that's your brand.

Globalization is not dead but it's evolving.

Thursday, April 03, 2025

Be Who You Are on Your Way Out, Sadly Not Before

©iStock/farres tariq

The former Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, will likely deliver the deciding vote on a resolution to block a national emergency used to justify the new tariffs on Canadian imports.

Sen. Mitch McConnell privately indicated to Sen. Tim Kaine he would back the Virginia Democrat’s resolution to undo President Donald Trump’s Canada tariffs.

What does it mean? We'll soon find out.

Wednesday, April 02, 2025

The Decline of the Expert?

©iStock/Makhbubakhon Ismatova

Want to understand a medical diagnosis, learn how to export, challenge a legal contract, or make sense of an economic forecast? Traditionally, your only option was to trust a trained professional. But now, AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and others are changing the game—offering clear, confident, and accessible answers to complex questions.

This democratization of knowledge has tremendous potential. But it could also be the decline of the expert?

Tuesday, April 01, 2025

Connect, Learn, Have Fun and Export!

Join wegg's next wegginar® with award-winning exporter Joan Laureano, President of Nosotras Boutique Fashion Group tomorrow, Wednesday, April 2nd at 11 AM CT. Free of charge thanks to wegg's sponsors.

To learn more and to register, visit: My 10 Biggest Lessons in Exporting.

Monday, March 31, 2025

Today in Global Small Business: It's a Trump Rodeo Ride So Far

©iStock/Ultima_Gaina

What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

Most investors knew things could turn turbulent this year given U.S. President Donald Trump's return to power in the world's biggest economy and financial market, but few predicted the kind of a rodeo ride it has been so far.
Bitcoin demand declines amid global trade wars.
Quote of the week: “American bull riding has been called 'the most dangerous eight seconds in sports.'" – general statement
JP Morgan research: U.S. tariffs and what the impact will be on global trade and the economy.
Japan is upset. An editorial on Trump's auto tariffs.
Mexico is upset. They will respond to Trump's tariffs with immediate measures.

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Points to Heaven

"The church is not the way to heaven; the church is the sign that points to heaven." – Adrian Rogers,

Friday, March 28, 2025

Prepare for Unexpected Shocks in the Global Marketplace

"Resist protectionism" and defend globalization. That's what Premier Li Qiang recently told a gathering of global executives in Beijing. He went on to say that China is prepared for “possible unexpected shocks."

CEOs including Apple’s Tim Cook, FedEx’s Raj Subramaniam and Pfizer’s Albert Bourla gathered in the Chinese capital over the weekend for a two-day forum that comes as US President Donald Trump has ratcheted up trade pressure on China in a bid to rebalance what he sees as an unfair relationship.

Premier Li Qiang said, “We have prepared for possible unexpected shocks, which, of course, mainly come from external sources. Where necessary, the Chinese government will introduce new policies to ensure the smooth operation of the Chinese economy.”

Trade uncertainties loom.

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Recalculate Your Financials to See Where the New Global Realities Lie

iStock/Leonardo Penuela Bernal

Technically speaking, should the U.S. dollar be strong or weak relative to other currencies? It depends whose point of view you take. The fact that whatever position someone takes has pros and cons reveals the complexity of their positions.

Fast forward, not know which way the dollar will move, it will probably be prudent for U.S. companies to find U.S. sources for their supply chains, if feasible, or at least lessen dependence on foreign goods and services.

Companies that use imported parts but also export will likely need to recalculate their financials to see where the new realities lie. Also, those relying on a strong U.S. dollar should re-examine their temporary advantage at the moment and consider whether it will still work with a weaker dollar.