Welcome to the very first Expert Exporter Monthly News Round-Up.

Each month, we’ll share the major developments shaping global trade, explain what they mean specifically for UK exporters, and include insight from Go Exporting founder and CEO, Mike Wilson, on the state of play for exporting firms.

Let’s dive in.

UK exporters react swiftly to US tariff threats

Research from the British Chambers of Commerce revealed that one in three UK exporters who expected to be affected by proposed US tariff measures at the start of the year had begun taking mitigating action immediately. You can read the full findings here:
https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/news/2026/01/impact-of-us-tariff-threat-revealed/

The proposed 10% tariff threat – linked to wider geopolitical tensions – may have been rolled back on by Trump after collective pushback from EU and UK politicians, but the reaction from UK businesses tells us something important. Exporters are no longer waiting for formal policy announcements before adjusting pricing models, reviewing supply chains or reassessing market exposure. Instead, firms are acting pre-emptively, assuming disruption is more likely than stability.

While this agility demonstrates improved resilience compared to previous trade shocks, it also highlights a deeper concern. Businesses are diverting management time and capital toward defensive planning rather than expansion. Long-term investment decisions, including entering new markets or scaling overseas operations, are becoming harder to commit to in an unpredictable policy environment.

What this means for UK exporters

The lesson here isn’t simply “prepare for tariffs”, it’s that geopolitical volatility is now a structural feature of global trade. UK exporters need embedded contingency planning, flexible pricing strategies, and diversified market portfolios. Firms overly dependent on a single export destination, particularly the US, are now significantly more exposed to policy swings than in previous decades.

China meets 5% growth target, but export reliance deepens

China announced it achieved its 5% GDP growth target last year, despite continued trade tensions and global headwinds. Full coverage from the BBC can be found here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgk8zd287myo

However, much of that growth has been driven by exports, at a time when domestic demand has softened. This increasing reliance on external markets could leave China more exposed to trade disruption if protectionist measures expand further in the US or Europe.

At the same time, China has signalled willingness to explore renewed trade and investment agreements with the EU, according to Reuters:
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-it-is-willing-explore-trade-investment-agreements-with-eu-2025-11-06/

Alongside this, changes to low-value parcel tax rules are tightening compliance requirements for cross-border e-commerce. Many governments, including the US, EU nations and now UK are closing perceived loopholes around small-value shipments, ensuring VAT and duties are correctly collected.

What this means for UK exporters

There are three significant implications here.

First, if China continues to lean on exports to drive growth, UK businesses should expect intensified competition in third-country markets, particularly in price-sensitive sectors such as consumer goods, electronics and light manufacturing.

Second, any movement on EU–China trade negotiations could reshape the competitive landscape within Europe. While the UK is no longer part of the EU, shifts in EU trade policy often indirectly affect UK exporters operating in similar sectors or supply chains.

Third, tightening parcel and VAT rules reinforce a broader global trend: compliance is getting stricter everywhere, and markets becoming more insular. UK SMEs selling directly into international markets via e-commerce must ensure classification, valuation and documentation are watertight. The era of “informal” low-value exports is steadily closing.

This should though make it easier for UK small businesses to compete online in their own marketplaces.

UK defence exports reach record £20bn

In a continued sign of global instability and strategic realignment, UK defence exports hit their highest ever level in 2025, exceeding £20 billion in overseas sales. The government announcement can be read here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2025-sees-highest-british-defence-exports-since-records-began-in-huge-boost-to-workers-and-companies

This growth reflects sustained demand from allied nations, driven by increased defence spending commitments across Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia. It also signals confidence in British manufacturing capability and technical expertise within highly regulated, high-value sectors.

While defence is a specialist area, its record performance highlights a broader macro trend: in uncertain geopolitical climates, governments prioritise resilience, infrastructure, security and domestic capability.

What this means for UK exporters

For firms directly within defence supply chains, the opportunity is clear. However, the ripple effects extend further into advanced manufacturing, aerospace, engineering services, cyber security and specialist technology providers.

More broadly, this news reinforces that global turbulence does not necessarily suppress export opportunities. Instead, it shifts demand toward sectors aligned with strategic resilience. UK exporters that understand these macro-demand shifts and align their market targeting accordingly can position themselves advantageously.

An expert word…

On the current state of exports and the global marketplace

“In 2026, the global marketplace is more regulated and fragmented, but still full of opportunity for well-prepared exporters. Supply chains are shifting due to geopolitics and new compliance rules, yet demand remains strong.

“The EU has stabilised post-Brexit, though challenges remain, while growth markets in the Gulf, Asia and Africa are increasingly accessible. Careful market selection has never been more important, combined with robust compliance and strong local partnerships.”

On what UK exporters should watch out for in 2026

“Exporters face tighter rules than ever before – GPSR, CBAM, EUDR, VAT reforms – alongside rising costs and geopolitical risk. This requires stronger planning, documentation and internal expertise.

“But these same pressures present opportunity. Companies that invest in analysing potential markets, strengthening compliance, optimising operating models and improving partner performance will be best placed to grow in 2026.”

The StartUp Show from Enterprise Nation is rolling into King’s College London this month as SME founders can engage with over 100 speakers, a range of advisors and 2,000 other community members. 

Go Exporting CEO Mike Wilson will be offering advice and answering questions too, and to celebrate our involvement, we have two free tickets to giveaway! 

Watch the video below to see what the event, which takes place on 28th January, is all about:

We’re giving away two free tickets to one lucky winner which we’ll pick at random and contact by email on Friday 20th January.

To enter, leave your details using the form below. 

Good luck!

On the 12th December, Go Exporting CEO Mike Wilson will be joining representatives from Deloitte, Santander and Capikooa to host a webinar with Enterprise Nation on trading overseas next year.

This webinar is perfect for any UK business wanting to start selling internationally from next year, or firms who are already exporting but are struggling (like most!) to get to grips with new customs declaration procedures.

The webinar is free to join but spaces are limited. Register on Eventbrite here.

Earlier this month we were delighted to join Business Wales for a webinar all about exporting to The Netherlands.

The Netherlands is already a top-10 trading partner of the UK, with high demand for UK goods and services.

The region also has great potential as a gateway into the EU, though the nation itself is already the 5th largest economy within the Eurozone with Rotterdam ranked as the biggest port in Europe.

Intrigued? Learn more by watching the webinar below.

View more Business Wales free webinars and resources here.

Learn more about how Go Exporting can help open a world of opportunities for your business with our international trade consultancy services.

More than half of exporting businesses within the UK say they’re unconfident with current customs documentation and procedures. 

According to a poll of 330 exporters as part of an IOE&IT webinar event, just 49% said they did feel confident, whilst just 5% said they felt ‘very confident’ with their understanding of the new trading arrangement with the EU. 

There was further bad news on trade with Northern Ireland too, with just 4% of attendees saying that the new Northern Ireland Protocol had benefited their business. 

“Changes that have been introduced can be quite difficult to navigate”

The new rules for trade between the UK and EU, as defined by the EU_UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement in the wake of Brexit, had been hailed as a great benefit of the UK’s departure from the European Union and Single Market. 

However, exporters have been faced with increased paperwork, procedural requirements, costs and delays. 

And worryingly for the future of UK exports,  more than half of those attending the IOE&IT webinar stated that they didn’t feel they had the knowledge to benefit from the UK’s current and future trade deals – including new free trade agreements with new and emerging markets which the government is actively working to pursue. 

The issue that presents for UK firms, as well as the economy as a whole, is that export volumes may continue to decline compared to where they could have been had Brexit not have happened, as SME firms struggle to capitalise on new global opportunities for trade. 

Suzanne Alecrim of the IOE&IT said of the poll results that: The changes that have been introduced can be quite difficult to navigate, so I can understand why some traders aren’t too confident.”

And confidence, as we’ve seen from the recent upheaval following the now infamous mini-budget, is critical to business, markets and economies. 

What exporters can do

One of the greatest challenges to any business is successfully mitigating and growing through periods of change, and Brexit saw huge upheaval for both importing and exporting firms across all sectors. New procedures and requirements forced new ways of working, new knowledge and extra processes to upskill in – not something which every exporting firm can easily accommodate. 

At Go Exporting, we’re helping businesses to adapt and thrive in the new trading arrangement with the EU through our customs and compliance reports. 

What processes do you need to follow? Do you need licences or approvals? Is there any duty or quotas? Is there a Free Trade Agreement in place? Rules of Origin to consider?

Our customs and compliance report covers all aspects of your trade with a specific country or trade bloc – including the EU. 

Learn more about how we can help your business grow internationally here.

We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for the Enterprise Nation Advisor Awards 2022 in the international trade category.

Enterprise Nation is a fantastic network that helps small business owners to grow their brands through freely-given expert insights, and Go Exporting CEO Mike Wilson regularly gives webinars on exporting and international trade to the network.

But now, we need your help!

To win the award, we need to gather as many votes as we can.

Can you help?

It takes just three minutes to vote for Mike and Go Exporting and you can do so here.

Thank you in advance!

I was at a conference this week all about marketing and how to expand your business. There were some truly inspirational and interesting speakers, from TV Dragons, major company CEOs, through to a performance psychologist and marketing experts. 

One theme that came out time and again was the importance of planning and taking the time to work on your business, not in your business. Creating the breathing space to really focus on where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. Yet at the same time remaining agile enough to react to ever-changing market conditions. Who would have predicted a global pandemic or war in Ukraine with all their human and economic consequences?

It struck me that this is exactly the support we offer our clients on their export journey. We help them to focus on taking the right decisions; not to rush in before they are export ready, before understanding customs and compliance requirements, before evaluating their target markets and the true potential they offer, before thoroughly researching the right routes to market and local channel partners. 

When confronted with the day-to-day challenges of running your business, the pressure to meet growth targets, or replace declining markets, it can be difficult to focus on making informed decisions. There is a tendency to rush in. 

This is where Go Exporting can help you. We take the strain by doing the important groundwork, providing accurate information to allow you to make the right decisions on your international strategy.

With over 30 years’ experience in helping businesses just like yours to profitably expand into international markets, we have developed a range of cost-effective services which support you in the right areas along that journey.

• EXPORT READINESS ASSESSMENTS
• CUSTOMS & COMPLIANCE
• MANAGING THE BREXIT TRANSITION
• IDENTIFY & PRIORITISE MARKETS
• EXPORT STRATEGY
• FINDING DISTRIBUTORS & PARTNERS
• IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS
• INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL MARKETING

These are just some examples of how we can help. Every customer is different, however, so we are flexible and work with you to achieve your objectives.

Take time out to work on your business, not in your business.

For the month of October, we are offering a limited number of FREE 30-minute consultations with our CEO Mike Wilson to discuss any aspects of your international journey you would like to raise. He will provide advice and answer your direct questions. There’s absolutely no obligation and no hard sell…. in fact, no sell at all! This is a special benefit offered to our customers and newsletter subscribers.

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY
Limited slots available!

This month we were delighted to join Business Wales to share more advice on exporting around the world.

This time, Go Exporting CEO Mike Wilson focused on the opportunity for UK exporters in Spain, with the latest information and advice on the Spanish market and the key benefits it presents for Welsh exporters.

Watch the video in full below:

Looking for more expert exporting content? Sign-up to the Expert Exporter Resource Hub, home to all the advice, both analytical and anecdotal, you need to master exporting, spot an opportunity and learn how to ask the right questions before starting.

Learn more and register here.

The British Chambers of Commerce has called out the Government for lacking Brexit business planning, resulting in UK workforce shortages. 

After a weekend of fuel supply shortages and retailer Christmans warnings, the BCC made clear in a statement that businesses were suffering the consequences from excluding non-UK nationals from the UK workforce. 

BCC President, Baroness Ruby McGregor Smith said that: “Government has made clear its priority is to transition from a reliance on EU workers to a focus on the domestic workforce, and businesses have been ready to participate in this, but it is a long-term project.

“A managed transition, with a plan agreed between government and business, should have been in place from the outset. Instead, the supply of EU labour was turned off with no clear roadmap as to how this transition would be managed without disruption to services and supply chains.

“Now some action has been taken, but additional testing will take time and the low number of visas offered is insufficient. Even if these short-term opportunities attract the maximum amount of people allowed under the scheme, it will not be enough to address the scale of the problem that has now developed in our supply chains. This announcement is the equivalent of throwing a thimble of water on a bonfire.

“Government should be prepared to significantly expand the number of visas issued within this scheme and convene a summit that brings business and government together to find both immediate and longer-term solutions to the many challenges facing firms throughout the UK.

“Without further action, we now face the very real prospect of serious damage to our economic recovery, stifled growth as well as another less than happy Christmas for many businesses and their customers across the country.”

Read more: Complex Rules of Origin add £600m to duty costs

BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex added that: “Chambers of Commerce have been warning Government about critical labour shortages for months now – not just in the food and haulage industries but in hospitality, construction, the care sector and elsewhere in the economy. Whilst businesses will welcome that government is finally taking action, this scheme does not go far enough.

“BCC data has shown that 76% of hospitality businesses, and 82% of construction firms have faced recruitment difficulties in recent months. At the same time, we found 3 out of 4 exporters reporting no growth in sales in Q2.

“Businesses are facing the most difficult environment for a generation. On top of labour shortages – border delays, increased debt and the rising cost of materials, shipping and energy are all putting huge pressure on firms struggling to recover from the pandemic. All of these issues are hitting smaller firms the hardest.

“Attempts to address the deficit of HGV drivers and poultry workers is a step forward, but these industries are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the huge impact of the current labour shortages. Without a comprehensive plan to tackle this issue across the board we are facing a winter of lost opportunities for our businesses, hampering the UK’s economic recovery.”

If your business is still coming to terms with a post-Brexit trading environment, we can help. Our Brexit FastTrack service can quickly and affordably assess the threats to your businesses and help shine a light on the pathway forward for your organisation. Find out more here.