The Dismal Reality Is That Trump's Border Taxes are Raising Costs and ...

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The dismal reality is that Trump's border taxes are raising costs and have failed to usher in a manufacturing renaissance.

There’s no question his tariffs are raising costs for U.S. manufacturers. At the same time, foreign retaliation has hurt America’s farmers and depressed purchases of agriculture equipment. A slowdown in trade has also dented demand for semi-trucks.

Plus, the uncertainty hanging over the extension of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is delaying some investments since businesses don’t know what the trade rules or tariffs will be in a few years – or even tomorrow with Trump. 

Americans are unhappy. 

When 65 Days Isn't Enough: The Shelf-Life Squeeze on Shipping

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Some problems J.M. Smucker is facing when it bit (read that as buying Hostess) into the golden, creamy Hostess Twinkie are bedeviling other food makers. Snacking slowed as people cut discretionary spending, and weight-loss drugs and the “Make America Healthy Again” movement gained traction. U.S. snack sales by units are down 4% in the past four years, according to data from market-research firm NIQ. Sales of sweet snacks, generally, have dropped 17%, the data showed. 

Why did Smucker's $5 billion bet on the Twinkie flop?

Was it because of the 65-day shelf life? A blink of an eye compared to the shelf life of many core Smucker products – fruit spreads, canned coffee and dog food – which can last for at least a year. Was it changing consumer habits?  Could execution have played into the problems?  

Find out here.

The World's Most Livable Cities 2026

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The world seems to be changing at lightning speed, so it’s perhaps good to know that some things remain the same – at least when it comes to the most livable city.

Which country ranked No.1?  Find out here.

Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of May, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month.  Thank you for your engagement! 

U.S. Commercial Service User Fees Are Going Up Effective 7/22/26

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The U.S. Commercial Service is updating its User Fee Schedule to better align fees with the cost and level of effort required to deliver services and to apply a consistent approach across programs.  The updated structure introduces a standardized pricing model across clients and incorporates services that were not previously reflected in the User Fee Schedule.

The Federal Register Notice (FRN) announced the proposed price increase changes on June 22, 2026. Clients (small business owners) can be directed to the following external page: https://www.trade.gov/user-fees-update. The updated schedule includes adjustments to certain standard service fees and the formal addition of several services now offered across various programs.

Since the fees will be tripling for small businesses beginning July 22, 2026, Friday, July 17th will be the last available date to confirm and pay for a service with the U.S. Commercial Service's current rate structure.

Clients (small business owners) would need to participate in introduction calls prior to July 17th with a overseas colleagues to assess and confirm which service best fits their objectives in the local market. 

In order to manage clients’ (small business owners') expectations, please note many overseas colleagues may already be on summer holiday and may not be available for those calls in time.  The sooner a service request and intro call can be made, the better.

Get on it!   Direct access to the User Fee Schedule.

Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of May, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month.  Thank you for your engagement! 

Today in Global Small Business: Entrepreneurship Is For Everyone, Even Later in Life

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

• It is a myth that entrepreneurship is for the young. Later-in-life business owners are blurring the line between their working years and retirement.
• Smithsonian ponders what it means to be an American.
• AI isn't a substitute for human skills.  It's a multiplier.
• Quote of the week:  “I alone will decide when I'm retiring." – Jupp Heynckes
• From principles to practice: How McKinsey is helping Ownership Works scale employee ownership.
• Leading through uncertainty in the age of AI.

Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of May, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month.  Thank you for your engagement! 

Happy 250th America!

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Let's celebrate America's birthday!

This July 4th Could Be the Hottest Ever In Parts of U.S.

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This July Fourth could be the hottest on record for millions of Americans as a massive heat wave traps more than half of the United States under a heat dome through the holiday weekend.

Dangerously high temperatures ramped up Wednesday (7/1/26) from the Midwest to the East Coast, forecasters said. Between daily high temperatures and warm overnight lows – which won't be low enough to offer much relief – more than 300 records are expected to be set by Saturday, July 4, 2026.

Where Food Is Exported From and Where It Goes

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Our food systems have become incredibly globalized.  Which countries do we depend on for this wide range of foods?

See how and where food is traded across the world, by viewing this interactive visualization that shows the flow of different types of food from producer to consumer.

The authors provide a walkthrough on how to use the tool with using soybeans as an example.

Fascinating!

Celebrating 4th of July Fireworks (video)

The Small Businesses That Built America

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Let's welcome the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's year‑long series celebrating the entrepreneurs and enterprises that have shaped the nation’s economy over 250 years. 

From colonial‑era craftsmen to today’s tech innovators, U.S. small businesses have fueled growth, creativity, and community across every generation of American life.

Throughout the year, the CoC spotlights historic companies, iconic brands that started small, and the modern founders carrying that legacy forward. 

Join them as we all honor the small businesses that built America – and continue to build its future.

Today in Global Small Business: International Growth Is Being Driven By a New Breed of Business

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

• International growth is being driven by a new breed of business: the emerging multinational.
• How the Shiga Bank is driving regional growth through global strategy, sustainability and SME support.
• How businesses can leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to expand overseas.
• Quote of the week:  “These guys have shut down the Straits of Hormuz.  This is what Iran is saying:  We will shut down the straits, no one can go through, no country in the world can go through unless we allow you to go through, and you have to pay us, but our ships can go through – meaning the Iranian ships – as much as they want.  That’s crazy.  Who would agree to that?" – Secretary of State Marco Rubio (5/5/26)
• Updates from the NY Times on the war in the Middle East.
• Iran asserts sole control of Hormuz, warns challenges will bring more violence.

Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of May, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month.  Thank you for your engagement! 

Chicago: The Most Beautiful Great City Left in the World

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world." – Frank Lloyd Wright, architect and Oak Park resident