The Global Trade Effects of the AI Infrastructure Boom

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According to the Federal Reserve, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key driver of the global economic outlook, underscored by the unprecedented scale of announced investment commitments aimed at expanding AI-related infrastructure. The AI boom is also increasingly influencing international trade by boosting demand for critical inputs and intermediate goods needed to build data centers. This surge in AI-related investment has already supported international trade since early 2025, with strong demand for critical components boosting exports in key supplier economies.

Looking ahead, AI-related trade is likely to remain an important feature of the global trade landscape as investment in AI infrastructure continues to scale.

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. 

Today in Global Small Business: We Are Told the Global 15 percent Tariffs Announced by Trump on 2/21/26 Are a “Very Durable” Tool Legally

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

• We are told that the global 15 percent tariffs announced by Mr. Trump on Saturday, 2/21/26 are a “very durable” tool legally, as reported on ABC's "This Week."
• CEOs go back to company war rooms to access what they can do to reclaim billions in paid levies. 
• Quote of the week:  "If you follow the devil, your journey will end up in the hell! This is what happens to those who follow the dictators!" – Mehmet Murat ildan
• We can't sit still:  Small businesses benefit from international trade.
• e.l.f. Beauty and rhode are giving the beauty business a makeover.  Key lesson:  "The leaders who watch, listen, and build are the ones who stay ahead." 
• Gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin is making the whole world shimmer!

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 February 1, 2026, we have more than 900,000 readers on a monthly basis.

How Small Businesses Can Navigate Global Trade in An Era of Polycrisis

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Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) account for 95% of all businesses and 60% of global employment, forming the backbone of the global economy. Yet they face persistent barriers to fully benefiting from international trade, including limited access to finance, complex regulations and poor digital infrastructure.

These challenges are exacerbated by the current polycrisis of economic shocks, supply chain disruptions, climate change and geopolitical uncertainty.

With support, small businesses can compete globally and drive inclusive economic development.

Discover how small businesses can navigate global trade in an era of polycrisis.

Tariffs Disrupt Trade

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Tariffs disrupt trade between countries by raising taxes on imported goods, and those new costs are often passed on to consumers through higher prices. Tariffs are considered by many economists a political cudgel — sometimes used in a trade war — and not an efficient framework for international trade.

Trump is set to go ahead with tariffs on America’s biggest trading partners on Tuesday, 3/4/25 imposing 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. Trump on Monday also raised tariffs implemented on China from 10% to 20%.

As Warren Buffett would ask, "And then what?" 

Updated Rules for International Trade

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Globalization refers to the process of connecting the world economy more closely through the flow of goods, services, investment, technology, data, ideas, and workers. It began around 1870 and took off in the decades after World War II as countries started reducing restrictions on capital and trade flows in anticipation of benefits to growth and welfare.

Today we may be at another turning point in globalization’s history. So what is this powerful force that does so much to influence the world economy? How is it changing? And can it be improved?

Updated rules for international trade, coupled with stronger domestic policies, could make globalization more inclusive and sustainable.

The Largest Exporters in the World

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Exports play an important role in the global economy, serving as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and international cooperation. 

Thanks to the evolution of international trade, the effects of globalization, and progress in technology, global trade has increased by around 300% over the last 20 years. 

And using data obtained from the World Bank, you can see the world's top exporters by country and their top exports, such as petroleum, cars, and medication.

Take a journey – a pictorial – of the largest exporters in the world.

Trade Among Nations Makes the World Better Off

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Trade among nations makes the world better off. Yet international trade can be one of the most contentious of political issues, both domestically and between governments.

Read more about why countries trade, comparative advantage, why trade reform is difficult, and trade policies.

Could Protectionism Make the World Less Resilient, More Unequal, and More Conflict-Prone?

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There is no strong evidence of a retreat from globalization, but international trade and the multilateral system that underpinned it are under attack, and their future depends on policy choices.

Today, there is still no conclusive evidence that international trade is deglobalizing. When measured in US dollars, global trade growth slowed after the global financial crisis in 2008–09 and declined sharply at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. But since then trade has rebounded to the highest value ever.

Read on to see how there are some growing threats to global trade.

Announcing 2023 Export Lender Award Winners by the SBA

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The Export Lender of the Year Awards recognize excellence in export financing. These awards highlight the accomplishments of lenders in delivering SBA’s international finance programs to small businesses, designed to help small businesses develop new markets, finance export transactions, and expand capacity to meet overseas demand.

This year, the SBA’s Office of International Trade selected Regions Bank and Amerant Bank as the 2023 Export Lenders of the Year, and Berkshire Bank as the 2023 International Trade Lender of the Year.

Read more here.

Let's Push for Better Opportunities for Women in Trade

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According to three international trade bodies, for a more inclusive approach to rebuilding the post-pandemic economy, women need to participate more in the most profitable exporting sectors.

At the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum in Geneva last week, WTO director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, International Trade Centre (ITC) executive director Pamela Coke-Hamilton and Institute of Export and International Trade (IoE&IT) director general Marco Forgione highlighted the importance of an inclusive economic recovery, with a particular view to getting more women into the world’s most lucrative – but male-dominated – industries of STEM, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and finance.

Read more about how the WTO, ITC and Institute of Export and International Trade push for better opportunities for women in trade.

A Great Resource for the Illinois Global Business and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

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One of the best kept secrets in Chicago is the long-standing nonprofit International Trade Association of Greater Chicago (ITA/GC), which provides a forum for the exchange of up-to-date and practical information on the trends and tools of the ever-changing global marketplace.

Established in 1977 (name changed to ITA/GC in 1985) by Richard Paullin who is considered the Mayor of global trade in Chicago.  Richard has been bringing people and ideas together since then on a global scale.  Nobody knows the global business and entrepreneurship ecosystem better than Richard.

His organization also produces and distributes the well-known Illinois International Business Calendar – a consolidated list of all major global business themed events in the Chicagoland area – including ITA/GC programs and events.  By signing up for the PDF listing, you never miss an important event. Plus, you can even submit your event to him for a listing.

To become a member of the organization, visit ITA/GC/.

Richard will be giving a few words at the 7th Annual Global Small Business Forum hosted virtually on Friday, October 21, 2022 (and supported by lead sponsor Associated Bank).  He has supported and been involved in the Forum since its launch in 2015.  To learn more about the Forum, which has become the biggest and best global small business forum in Chicago, visit: https://globalsmallbusinessforum.com.  Registration is OPEN.

COVID-19 and Its Impact on Global Small Business

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The SME Competitiveness Outlook 2020 analyses the impact of the global pandemic on small firms, international supply chains and trade. It provides projections and a 15-point action plan for businesses, policymakers and business support organizations to weather the crisis – and gear up for a ‘new normal’ that needs to be resilient, digital, inclusive and sustainable.

The report, "COVID-19:  The Great Lockdown and Its Impact on Small Businesses," combines analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on firms based on a large-scale global survey, with case studies and a thought leader viewpoint. The projected drop in supply chain trade is evaluated by region, and in 85 country profiles.

Two things to keep in mind as you go through this very thorough report:  It's dated June, 2020 (a lot has changed since then) and the analysis is 147 pages long (excluding Endnotes).  

Destinations for U.S. Exports Span the Globe

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On a state by state basis, exports can be a significant source of revenue.  Further, the U.S. economy is far less dependent on trade than most countries. The total value of all U.S. exports accounted for just 11.7% of GDP in 2019 – a fraction of the 30.6% global average. 

Destinations for U.S. exports span the globe. The largest markets for American goods were Canada, Mexico, and China, as of 2018. However, due to the trade war between the U.S. and China, the total value of products shipped to China has likely declined considerably in recent months.

Read the entire article to learn the top selling products from each state in the United States.

Got Two Minutes to Listen to Some Trade Talk? (Podcast)

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Got two minutes?  Then listen to Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg, P.A.'s Two Minutes in Trade:  How Are the New Tariffs Impacting Small Businesses?

There are only seven days left [from 9/23/19] to request tariff exclusions from List 3. As of today, there are sixteen thousand, six hundred and thirty-eight petitions filed, and only few dozen exclusions granted. We cannot tell exactly how many of these petitions are from small businesses but based on my [?] experience that number is going to be large.  

For more information listen to today's Two Minutes in Trade.

The Business of Doing Global Business Easier

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Over 250 million companies around the world transact goods and services worth US$120 trillion annually - making the opportunities in international trade tremendous for the businesses involved.

The potential for a single business to transact with hundreds to thousands of buyers or suppliers around the world should be the dream of any business owner. However, it is typically the larger corporations - and even so only a fraction of them - that are able to internationalize successfully.

Come 2019, businesses will be able to access, retrieve and exchange key information relating to themselves and their trading partners through the Mastercard Track Trade Directory, a secure central database with over 150 million companies registered worldwide.

Learn more about Mastercard Track Directory and how to make the business of doing global business easier.

Today in Global Small Business: Join the Revolution and Sell Online

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

• SMEs form the key base for growth in digital services.
• Bank Indonesia helps small enterprises go global.
• SMEs must join retail revolution and sell online.
• Local small businesses in Malaysia fall behind in international trade.
• Software SMEs going global; steps to internationalization.
• Join a weggchat™ via Twitter with Laurel Delaney on "Take Your Business Global" August 8 at 11:00 a.m. Central time.  Instructions here.  The last 5 minutes of weggchat™, each participant gives their elevator pitch.
• Some hot tips for exporting round-the-clock.

Market Uncertainties Cause a Slowdown in International Trade for UK SMEs

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The future outlook for international trade looks gloomy going into 2018 for UK SMEs, with 75 per cent of them expecting trade to decline or remain stagnant over the next 12 months.  That is according to WorldFirst's Global Trade Barometer.

“A positive that has come from such a negative year is that UK SMEs are seemingly drowning out the Brexit noise," says Jeremy Cook, chief economist at WorldFirst.

Read more on how UK SME confidence seems to have hit rock bottom when it comes to international trade.

Digitized Trade in a Digital Economy

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The digital economy is not unfounded, as it is changing the way businesses and consumers interact.  Perhaps the biggest advantage of digitized trade is the opening of new markets for small businesses that are less involved in international trade and invisible to foreign direct investment.

Take this, for example:

An entrepreneur selling hand-made wigs could open a salon for visiting customers. Or she could go digital and upload samples to a website or Instagram page and carry out transactions online. That's trading in the digital world.

Read more about digitized trade or be left behind.

Reigniting the Global Entrepreneurial Spirit

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President Trump is trying to get the American dream back for entrepreneurs.

President Trump signed an executive action Monday (1/30/17) that will result in a reduction of federal regulations on small businesses. He said the executive action would “knock out two regulations for every new regulation” adopted by federal agencies.

We are not inclined to hold our breath on what comes next concerning international trade.

Read more here.

Today in Global Small Business: Google Maps Appears to Be Going Global

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

• The discussion of LGBT rights at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa has highlighted a new method of promoting equality worldwide.
• Grow baby, grow and do it via international trade.
• The beauty of Bermuda as an international business economy.
• Check out Israeli cross-border e-commerce specialist Global-e.
• The winners of the 2016 GeekWire Awards.
• Driving mode for Google Maps appears to be going global.