Small Business Global Update

Delivering the world’s most important small business stories before your first coffee.

✍️ George Moen, Founder-Publisher | WBN Global News | April 29, 2025

Canada launches new tax and tariff policies as small business advocates apply pressure, while global tensions and economic uncertainty reshape the playing field. Today’s 5 @ 5 spotlights the real-world impact of policy, programs, and people on small business resilience.

📌 At A Glance

Today’s Top 5 Stories:

Canada’s CFIB demands tax and tariff relief from the new government
SBA reports a significant increase in manufacturing loan approvals under the Trump administration
Singapore launches task force to shield SMEs from global trade shocks
UPS cuts 20,000 jobs; small businesses brace for shipping disruption
Caribbean SME Shavuot International reveals ambitious expansion plan

🍁 Canada

CFIB Calls for Tariff Relief, Tax Cuts, and Budget Restraint
Source: Newswire | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: Canada’s most prominent small business advocate urges the new federal leadership to focus on immediate economic relief for entrepreneurs. Their proposals include removing punitive tariffs, cutting red tape, and avoiding deficit-heavy policy experiments that burden business.
Business Groups Present Wishlists to New Liberal Government
Source: Yahoo Finance | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: Business organizations across Canada are lobbying the Carney government to prioritize competitiveness, innovation, and tax incentives, especially for SMEs still recovering from post-COVID and trade war disruptions.
Digital Services Tax Impacts Small Advertisers
Source: WBN News | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: Although aimed at Big Tech, Canada’s new 3% tax on digital services has hiked online ad costs, especially for startups and micro-enterprises relying on Google and Meta ads to reach customers.
Minority Parliament May Lead to Higher Deficits
Source: Castanet | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: Fiscal instability and increased spending compromises may hurt small business confidence and increase borrowing costs in the coming quarters.
CFIB Releases Statement Urging Business-Friendly Fiscal Policy
Source: Canadian Manufacturing | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: As inflation pressures persist, small business advocates urge federal leaders to cut costs rather than increase social spending that could strain future budgets.

🇺🇸 United States

SBA Reports Significant Increase in Manufacturing Loan Approvals
Source: SBA | Date: April 17, 2025
Why It Matters: The SBA announced a 74% increase in 7(a) loan approvals for small manufacturers during the first 90 days of the Trump administration compared to the same period under the previous administration. This surge indicates strong institutional support for manufacturing entrepreneurship.
Small Business Job Growth Remains Consistent in April
Source: Morningstar | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: Steady job growth suggests small business resilience amid inflation concerns and fluctuating demand in key sectors.
UPS to Cut 20,000 Jobs Amid Tariff Pressures
Source: Reuters | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: Massive layoffs and facility closures at UPS threaten thousands of delivery-dependent small businesses. This could impact e-commerce order times, shipping costs, and customer satisfaction.
SCORE Mentors Help Military Veterans Launch Small Businesses
Source: Central Penn Business Journal | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: Veterans entering entrepreneurship benefit from free mentorship, improving business survival rates, and boosting local economies.
SBA Announces National Small Business Week Summit
Source: GlobeNewswire | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: The upcoming virtual summit offers business owners educational resources and networking opportunities nationwide.

🌍 International

Singapore Establishes Task Force to Support Businesses Amid Tariff Challenges
Source: Reuters | Date: April 16, 2025
Why It Matters: Singapore proactively responds to global trade disruptions, creating a model for how small, export-driven economies can support local SMEs.
European Consumer Boycott of U.S. Products Intensifies
Source: Wikipedia | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: European small retailers are shifting sourcing strategies amid rising consumer nationalism, which could reshape transatlantic trade patterns.
Global Tariffs Threaten Small Business Survival
Source: PYMNTS.com | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: International SMEs face shrinking margins as tariff wars heat up, triggering closures, layoffs, and reevaluation of global operations.
Fortune’s Most Powerful Women International Summit Approaches
Source: Fortune | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: The event highlights women leaders shaping international business, innovation, and small enterprise growth in emerging markets.
Shavuot International Discusses Growth and Future Plans
Source: Business View Caribbean | Date: April 29, 2025
Why It Matters: This Jamaican herbal products company highlights how Caribbean SMEs thrive through innovation, niche branding, and export diversification. Shavuot’s model is being studied across emerging markets.

👀 Watch List – Developing Stories To Keep An Eye On

Australia investigates big banks for SME loan discrimination
Germany’s AI tax break sparks 12% rise in small business registrations
Mexico prepares VAT simplification for rural cooperatives
UK Treasury considers emergency energy relief for micro-enterprises
Alberta eyes $25M Indigenous entrepreneur funding boost

George Moen – Founder & Publisher, WBN News
📧 gmoen@wbnn.news

TAGS: #5 @ 5 #Small Business News #WBN Canada #WBN USA #WBN Global #Startup Finance #Tariff Watch #Entrepreneurship