The first half of 2025 has seen a surprising resiliency in international trade, according to UN Trade and Development. Despite uncertainty over tariffs, continuing geopolitical conflicts and overall economic anxiety, global trade has grown by around $300 billion this year, led by U.S. imports and EU exports. While U.S. exports have not increased as robustly, the news is still good for the small businesses that are staying ahead of the competition by finding new audiences across borders.
As we move into Q3 and Q4, the outlook is more complex. The World Bank, for instance, predicts a slowdown due to tariffs and uncertainty—yet opportunities remain for small businesses that adapt quickly and keep exploring new markets.