Personal review of global trade highlights in 2025 by Giles from Exporting Made Easy, reflecting on world trade trends, exporting challenges, compliance, supply chains and international business insights.

AI is transforming exporting for SMEs, enabling smarter market research, faster compliance, better logistics, and stronger international sales.

In late 2025, China dramatically expanded its export controls on a range of critical materials and technologies — including rare earths, magnets, and semiconductor‑related components. This move is sending shockwaves through global supply chains. For many companies across Europe, including the UK, it is no longer business as usual. For a UK exporter — whether you manufacture goods, assemble components or source critical inputs from abroad — this marks a turning point. What use

As we approach 2026, exporter-finance risk is once again front and centre. For UK firms selling goods or services overseas, the financial landscape is evolving—and not necessarily in a cosy way. In this article we’ll explore one of the most pressing financial concerns for exporters: working-capital and payment-risk squeeze amid global and domestic pressures . We’ll update the picture for 2026, explain why it matters more than ever, what’s driving the pressure, how it shows up