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Business under pressure: Q2 survey reveals ongoing recruitment challenges, cashflow struggles, and economic uncertainty

The latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) from Business West reveals a challenging and uncertain economic landscape for businesses across the South West. Covering the second quarter of 2025, the findings highlight persistent recruitment difficulties, deteriorating trading conditions, and a cautious outlook on investment and profitability.

Anonymous Author

31 July, 2025

Business West

BCC press release: SME exporters hit by new US customs charges

Responding to President Trump’s decision to charge import duties for low value goods entering the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “This development has been coming for several months but is still a major blow to UK exporters to the US. Smaller firms and sole traders, who have invested strongly in e-commerce sales internationally, will be worst hit. “But the UK is in a comparatively advantageous position in terms of these additional duties compared with those faced by other countries. “The EU is also likely to scrap its de minimis threshold by 2028, and the UK government is launching a review into removing the threshold here too. “There are still great opportunities, both in the US market and other markets globally for UK goods, but SMEs will need to rethink their sales and distribution plans to deal with these added duties. “The Chamber Network in the UK, and internationally, can provide the best advice, alongside the logistics industry, to overcome these challenges and sustain export growth. “Action on the government’s new trade strategy is now also more urgent. Exporters to the US, particularly SMEs and sole traders, will need additional support and advice to deal with the disruption and added costs these de minimis threshold changes will cause.”

Fiona Parsons

31 July, 2025

Business West

Business West finalists in global competition

We are thrilled Business West has been named a finalist in the 2025 World Chambers Competition, hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation. Our project, ‘Innovation in International Trade: Carnet Tracker and CarnetCheck’, has been recognised in the Best Chamber Innovation Project category. This recognition underscores our dedication to driving innovation in international trade and delivering exceptional service to our customers.

Fiona Parsons

30 July, 2025

Business West