Risks to the Global Supply Chain: Critical Raw Materials

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Critical raw materials are facing rising export restrictions, increasing risks to the global supply chain.

The annual update of the OECD Inventory of Export Restrictions on Critical Raw Materials tracks export restrictions and supports analysis of their impact on availability, prices and global supply chains. 

The OECD continues to monitor these measures over time.

Today in Global Small Business: First Female Trainer to Win the Kentucky Derby 2026!

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

• On Saturday, 5/2/26, Golden Tempo sprinted to victory at the 2026 Kentucky Derby, becoming the latest long shot to win. But the impressive win was also a historic one: With Golden Tempo beating out co-favorite Renegade at the finish line, trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win at the Kentucky Derby.
• One of the world's remote nations opens up.
• Spirit Airlines loses its spirit and ceases operations after escalating financial struggles.
• Quote of the week:  “Horse racing is a sport that transcends all boundaries. It's a celebration of speed, strength, and the indomitable spirit of the horse." – Anonymous
• What would the founding fathers say about Trump?  A guest essay by Stacy Schiff.
• AI isn’t a substitute for human skills. It’s a multiplier.

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.  In April, 2026, we had more than 2,920,000 – yes, 2.9 million – readers visit our blog.

Stick With Love

©2026 Laurel J.Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." – MLK

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.  In April, 2026, we had more than 2,920,000 – yes, 2.9 million – readers visit our blog.

The U.A.E. Pulls Out of OPEC

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The United Arab Emirates’ (UAEs') decision to withdraw from OPEC marked a new alignment in the Middle East, where the tiny but fantastically wealthy Persian Gulf country becomes more tied to Israel and the U.S. than the Arab world.

The U.A.E. has practical reasons to pull out of OPEC. 

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.  In April, 2026, we had more than 2,920,000 – yes, 2.9 million – readers visit our blog.

She Builds: Stories of Immigrant Women Entrepreneurs

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Three initiatives within McGill Desautels, the Laidley Centre for Business Ethics and Equity (LCBEE), the Desautels EDI Team and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiative (E&I) joined forces to co-host She Builds: Stories of Immigrant Women Entrepreneurs on March 19, 2026.

The event opened with a screening of How She Dares by McGill alumna and Vietnamese-Canadian filmmaker Zoonie Nguyen (BEng’89). The film traces Nguyen’s extraordinary journey from war refugee to corporate leader and global advocate for women entrepreneurs, a deeply empowering story that set the tone for the discussions that followed. 

As the event concluded, Nguyen encouraged audience members to share their stories, no matter how small, because “by doing so,” she said, “you may give courage to people who need to hear it.”

Drawing the Line On Price Increases

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Yesterday, I debated on whether to buy a box of De Cecco 16-oz. premium, authentic Italian linguine for $3.79!  I couldn't believe it.  I can get a similar box of pasta for 99¢ at Walmart.  Not made in Italy mind you but pretty darn good.  

Take this story. When Shannon Johnson-George’s personal laptop went bust in February, she decided not to spend the roughly $1,000 it would cost to replace it. She plans to rewear an old dress for her son’s college graduation next month after being shocked by the $100-plus prices at the online retailers she frequents. Yet over the next five months, the 40-year-old from Cincinnati has a Disney cruise, a visit to Lake Erie and a trip to New Orleans for a Bruno Mars concert booked.  

Struggling?  Not so much.  Cutting back?  Yes.  

People are spending money on things they will remember, precious memories, like a Disney cruise or Bruno Mars concert.

Across the American economy, consumers are making similar calculations.

Having De Cecco pasta doesn't fall into the bucket list of a precious memory for me so I skipped that brand and went for the 99¢ product. The wine made all the difference 😋.

If Convicted, Cole Allen Faces the Prospect of Life In Prison For Attempt to Assassinate the USA President

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Secret Service agents responded to a shooting at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening (4/25/26).  President Trump and other administration officials were rushed out, and a suspect, Cole Allen, was arrested.

Federal prosecutors formally charged the alleged gunman Cole Allen at the White House correspondents' dinner with three counts on Monday, including attempting to assassinate the president.

Read on to learn some very surprising facts about Cole Allen.

Today in Global Small Business: You Don't Have to Be Rich to Enjoy An Airport Shower Worldwide

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

• Affordable arrivals lounges offer amenities like nap pods and showers where weary passengers can freshen up. You may never start a vacation the same way again, nor do you have to be rich to enjoy an airport shower on that worldwide vacation.
• The hottest ticket in town according to Trump, turned deadly. All I see is a lot of women left unprotected.
• International tourists are turning away from the United States despite a global travel surge.
• Quote of the week:  “Everyone who's ever taken a shower has an idea. It's the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference." – Nolan Bushnell
• Tariff refunds put businesses on the spot.
• What Americans are worried about.  CEOs need to pay attention. 

Geese Always Support Each Other

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Geese always support each other. When a goose gets injured two birds always accompany it down to the ground. Just as geese do, we must support each other." – Emma Hayes

Times Are Changing: TikTok Drives American Expats to Southeast Asia

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Chad Dunn used to spend his days on the floor of a Hyundai plant in Savannah, Ga., watching the clock, feeling the pressure, and wondering how long he could keep going.

"Life in America was pretty unfulfilling and pretty stressed out," he said. "Like most folks, just in a rat race."

Now, he lives in Da Nang, a coastal city in Vietnam, and makes a living helping other Americans leave.

Find out why.

Becoming an Emotionally Intelligent Global Business Leader

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Booth’s Advanced Management Program helped Deepa Sethi, business development lead at Elevo Global, build a diverse global network and further grow as an emotionally intelligent, mindful leader — something she sees as critical in these complex times. She shares some of her key takeaways from the program here. 

Brilliant Global Marketing Move For the Day

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Last week, more than 1,000 people received PR packages from Lancôme. Many were content creators who had received free products from the [French-based] L’Oréal-owned beauty brand before.  But something was different this time: the mailers were addressed to A-list actresses Demi Moore and Zoe Saldaña.

If you received a package with Demi Moore's name on it, would you open it?  Or, if you ignored the addressee's name, opened it accidentally and realized quickly it was for Demi Moore, what would you do?

Find out why Lancôme's global marketing strategy worked.