National Exporters Get Ready to Warm Up Their Sales
Last week’s Trade Confidence Outlook by the BCC’s celebrated Insights Unit surveyed a bit more than 2,000 UK exporters—our bravest commercial warriors—between 12th May and 9th June. This period had a tidy window: the country clinched a modest trade settlement with the United States, but the deal’s effects were still brewing. Even the big EU “reset” was announced on 19th May—again, a promise, not reality.
What the Numbers Really Tell Us
- Only 24% of SME exporters said their export sales were on the rise; 51% stayed level; and a worrying 26% saw a dip.
- Micro‑firms feel even more uneasy: a mere 20% reported higher sales, while 29% tasted a slump.
- When looking ahead at pending orders (sales not yet realized), 22% of SMEs expect a boost, 51% see no move, and 27% predict a fall.
- Micro‑exporters are split tighter: 18% ahead, 29% behind.
Is the Trend Even Worse Than the Post‑Pandemic Era?
Yep. In Q2 2018, just 14% of SMEs had a downturn in overseas sales. Fast forward to Q2 2025, and that number jumped to 26%. All signs point to exporters facing a tougher sales climate than ever.
What It Means for the Small‑Business Community
In plain English: while the big contracts and market chatter sound promising, the millions of small traders are scratching their heads over dwindling orders and low sales. You’re likely to see a few of these companies chuckle at the irony, amp up their marketing, or get creative to stay afloat.
The View From Business
Tariff Woes: The USA’s 10% Fee
If the U.S. keeps putting a 10% tag on our goods, that’s fine–but push it any higher and we’re looking at a serious headache.
Why It’s a Headache
- Higher export costs shrink our margins.
- Customers may start turning to cheaper alternatives.
- It could slow down our growth in a key market.
What We Could Do
Keep innovation flowing and look into trade talks. After all, a little negotiation might keep those tariffs from turning our exports into a full‑blown crisis.
Micro manufacturing firm in Scotland
Tariff Turbulence
Right now, the ripple effects of tariffs on material costs are still a bit of a mystery. No steady pattern has emerged yet, so the picture remains fuzzy—and we’re still sipping coffee, hoping for a breakthrough.
Medium construction firm in the East Midlands
Global Shipping Chaos, Trump‑Style Edition
Picture this: the Trump whirlwind of tariffs is hitting our shelves, and oh boy, it’s stirring up a hefty mess for pricing and delivery worldwide. The verdict? It’s a rollercoaster of uncertainty that’s going to flip the entire supply chain upside down.
What’s Up?
- Tariff storms brewing louder than a summer thundercloud.
- Costs jumping in ways that’d make your wallet do a double‑take.
- Shipping timelines turning into a guessing game.
How It Affects You
Depending on where you’re located, expect a few bumps: higher price tags, delayed arrivals, and a general sense of “what’s going to happen next?”
Pro Tips
- Lock in prices early if you can.
- Keep an eye on customs updates—those can give you a heads‑up.
- Stay flexible; the only constant is change.
Bottom line: the global market’s feeling the brunt of political shuffle, so brace yourselves for a wild ride in the trade arena.
Small services firm in the South-East
Tariff Trouble: Why Automotive Projects Are Stalled
Hey folks, let’s talk about that annoying side of the economy that’s putting a brake on new automotive programs—yes, we’re talking tariffs.
The Ripple Effect
- Uncertainty has become the new guest star in our clients’ meetings, swapping confidence for indecision.
- When the numbers on the trade table get trickier, new projects feel like a slow dance—mostly two steps later.
- Delays aren’t just a hiccup; they’re a full-on production line pause that leaves everyone waiting for the next bolt.
What This Means for You
Because of these tariff twists, you’ll see a splash of hesitation in project approvals. If you’re anticipating fresh initiatives, it’s a good idea to hit the brakes for a minute and reassess your game plan. Trust the process—by the time the tariff wave passes, we’ll be revving up again.
Medium construction firm in the East of England
Small Businesses, Big Dreams: The Export Reality
What the Trade Boss Is Saying
William Bain, who heads up trade policy at the BCC, paints a pretty clear picture: “Exporting is still a steep climb for many SMEs, and the tiniest startups are stuck at the base of the trail.”
Why the Small‑Biz Struggle Smiles
He explains that, in theory, clever, nimble companies could hop on e‑commerce platforms and zoom off into international markets. In practice, the big shoes—those of larger firms—tend to do the heavy lifting. The result? Small players learn to navigate the maze of paperwork, tariff guidelines, and logistics while the giants, quietly, navigate the labyrinth.
A Call to Action
To genuinely pump up the UK’s export numbers for the long haul, Bain insists that overseas traders need two things:
- Better financial backing
- Practical advice to grow their order books
“Our trade strategy is a solid blueprint, but we’ve got to move from the plan stage to actual practice at full speed.”
How the Strategy Works in Practice
“More than 40% of Chamber members say the support structure fuels their export success. That level of training, advice, and guidance should light up the entire UK.”
Win-Win for the Whole UK
If the strategy hits its mark, you’ll see economic growth ripple through every corner of the UK—lower tariffs, trade barriers lifted, and a stronger cash flow for businesses. Bain warns, “The hard work has to start now. The government will have to roll up its sleeves and work with local chambers to put the strategy’s action points into place.”
Leveraging Our Global Network
This effort will bank on the Global British Chamber Network’s expertise, resources, and local know-how to create, invest in, and deliver on international trade as a key engine of economic growth.
P.S. Keep the clipboard ready—this is the real deal, not a game plan. The UK’s future depends on it!
