90% of U.S. Tariffs Are Paid For by Importers or Consumers

©iStock/Yau Ming Low

Robert Krol is an emeritus professor of economics at California State University, Northridge/InsideSources.

He writes, "Despite the president’s claim that foreign exporters are paying the tariffs, research shows that at least 90% of U.S. tariffs are paid for by importers or consumers. The tariff bill has tripled over the last year for these smaller businesses. This results in a tariff bill that is $25,000 higher per month for the average small- and medium-size business."

Here he talks more about the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the president's decision to not extend it, and the impact on small- and medium-size businesses. 

Today in Global Small Business: Trump's Obsession With More and More Tariffs

©iStock/gguy44

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

• Tariffs are an obsession for President Trump, much as climate was for the Biden Administration. How else to explain his imposition of yet another round of border taxes three months before the November election despite their political unpopularity and economic harm?
• ChatGPT for small businesses.
• Latest tariff update(s) from Global-e.
• Quote of the week:  “The European Union questioned the new tariff, with its foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling it a “negative surprise” and rejecting the forced labor claims as unfounded."
• How people are really using AI in 2026 (HBR).
• What's going to happen with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement?

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: Pathways to a New Global Economy

©iStock/alekseystemmer

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

• Market of Tomorrow:  Pathways to a New [Global] Economy by the World Economic Forum.  
• A few Israeli startups are on the path to provide solutions for a post-covid world.
• Quote of the week:  “Exercise, prayer, and meditation are examples of calming rituals. They have been shown to induce a happier mood and provide a positive pathway through life's daily frustrations." ― Chuck Norris
• The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) transformed into the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC).  New name.  More tools.  More resources to invest.
• Brush up on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
• U.S. International Trade Data (the latest).

Today in Global Small Business: 5 Things to Know about the USMCA

©iStock/wildpixel

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

• Five (5) things to know about the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement ("USMCA"), compliments of Kirkland & Ellis.
• Global marketing trends 2020 that could be helpful to your business.
• Quote of the week: "It certainly was difficult to sell NAFTA because it's always difficult to sell open markets." – an old quote by Lawrence Summers
• Want growth during COVID-19?  Try pivoting to a digital-first mindset.
• Create your best day at work, wherever it may be.
• Soon, Twitter will be translating tweets automatically on Android and iOS platforms.  Hello world.

President and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council Says USMCA is a Win for SMEs

©iStock/wildpixel

Karen Kerrigan, president and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, says "The USMCA would greatly benefit American small businesses and encourage new business creation in America. Congress should waste no time in approving the deal."

She goes on further to say:

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was signed by President Trump and his fellow leaders at the G20 in Argentina. The accord modernizes the decades-old NAFTA and is chock full of meaningful provisions that will help American small businesses boost exports and safeguard their intellectual property (IP).

To learn the good, the good and the good on USMCA according to Kerrigan, visit, "why America's small businesses and entrepreneurs win under USMCA."

On a side note:  If you missed Laurel Delaney's "Global Trade Trends Report 2019," (wegginar®) you can catch it here for free and she touches on the good, the bad and the ugly on the USMCA.