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

✍️ George Moen, Founder–Publisher | WBN Global News | April 21, 2025
📧 gmoen@wbnn.news

Tariffs spike, markets reel, and supply chains tighten. Today’s 5@5 breaks down the global shifts and what small businesses need to know now.

🔝 Top 5 Stories Shaping the Day

1. Trump’s “Donald-25” Tariffs Rattle Global Markets

President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs—reaching 245% on Chinese goods—have triggered economic shockwaves. Countries are scrambling to adjust, and global trade networks face severe disruption.

Why It Matters:
Small businesses caught in cross-border supply chains are seeing costs skyrocket overnight, forcing immediate pivots or risking collapse.

📅 April 21, 2025 | The Times (UK)

2. Stock Market Turmoil Enters Third Week

Markets continue their downward spiral, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq experiencing losses not seen since COVID-19. April 2 is now infamously dubbed "Liberation Day" by financial analysts.

Why It Matters:
Investor confidence is plunging. Small businesses with investment portfolios or retirement-linked funds are seeing valuation shocks.

📅 April 21, 2025 | Wikipedia (2025 Market Crash Summary)

3. China Blocks U.S. Aircraft Deliveries

A Boeing delivery was turned away at a Chinese airport and rerouted to California. China’s unofficial freeze on certain U.S. imports is seen as a strategic retaliation.

Why It Matters:
This signals growing instability in U.S.-China relations and may escalate shipping and logistics delays globally.

📅 April 20, 2025 | CNN Business

4. Asian Markets Brace for U.S. Tech Earnings

Asian stock indexes showed mixed movement as global investors await this week’s earnings reports from major U.S. tech firms.

Why It Matters:
Technology sector results could heavily influence capital flow and global economic sentiment for Q2.

📅 April 21, 2025 | U.S. News & World Report

5. Mortgage Rates Stay Flat Despite Volatility

In a surprising twist, mortgage rates have remained steady, giving a brief window of stability in a chaotic economy.

Why It Matters:
Opportunity for real estate-driven small businesses and investors to capitalize before potential hikes.

📅 April 21, 2025 | Fortune

🔭 Watch List – Developing Stories to Keep an Eye On

🔍 10 Global Challenges Impacting Small Business in 2025 (Not in Macro Movers)

1. UK’s EPR Packaging Tax Crippling Food Startups
   📅 April 20, 2025 | The Times (UK)
2. Cybersecurity Threats Grow with Geopolitical Tension
   📅 April 19, 2025 | Associated Press
3. Small Firms Pivot Business Models Due to Tariffs
   📅 April 20, 2025 | Business Insider
4. Access to Capital Tightens for Entrepreneurs
   📅 April 18, 2025 | Goldman Sachs 10KSB
5. Red Tape Remains a Major Barrier
   📅 April 18, 2025 | Goldman Sachs 10KSB
6. Hiring Crisis Deepens in SMEs Globally
   📅 April 18, 2025 | Goldman Sachs 10KSB
7. Supply Chain Disruption Isn’t Over
   📅 April 20, 2025 | CNN Business
8. Digital Adoption Still Lagging in Small Enterprises
   📅 April 17, 2025 | Salesforce Blog
9. Eco-Regulations Putting Pressure on Margins
   📅 April 16, 2025 | IFTTT Explore
10. Global Market Volatility = Planning Paralysis
    📅 April 15, 2025 | Forbes Business Council

📈 Bonus Section 1 – Macro Movers

• U.S. Bond Yields Spike
  📅 April 20, 2025 | Wikipedia
• China Imposes Export Controls
  📅 April 20, 2025 | Wikipedia
• EU Eyes Countermeasures Against U.S.
  📅 April 20, 2025 | Wikipedia
• Oil Prices Slide on Weak Demand Forecasts
  📅 April 20, 2025 | Wikipedia
• Investors Flee to Safe Havens
  📅 April 20, 2025 | Wikipedia

🏢 Bonus Section 2 – Corporate Headlines

• Tech Titans Brace for Earnings
  📅 April 21, 2025 | Nasdaq
• Airbus Unveils New Green Aircraft
  📅 April 20, 2025 | Morningstar
• Retailers Revamp Global Sourcing
  📅 April 20, 2025 | Morningstar
• Banks Tighten Lending Criteria
  📅 April 20, 2025 | Morningstar
• Healthcare Firms Face Supply Crunch
  📅 April 20, 2025 | Morningstar

George Moen – Founder–Publisher, WBN Global News
✉️ gmoen@wbnn.news

TAGS: #5 @ 5 #Global Business News #Small Business Watch #Trade War Impact #Market Volatility #SME Insights #Corporate Trends