Link to article:https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericyoungstrom/2025/10/16/how-the-usjapan-tariffs-reshape-small-business-strategy/
This article talks about how new tariffs between the U.S. and Japan are changing the ways small businesses operate. The U.S. recently raised tariffs on certain Japanese imports, and Japan responded with its own trade adjustments. While most people think tariffs only affect big corporations, small businesses are feeling it too, especially those that rely on Japanese materials, electronics, or parts. Some companies are being forced to find new suppliers or raise their prices just to stay afloat. The article also points out that some small U.S manufacturers are actually benefiting from the tariffs since fewer Japanese products means less competition for U.S manufacturers. But for most small businesses, the trade tension is just adding more stress after a few tough year of inflation and global supply chain problems. Basically, it’s a reminder that when powerful countries clash economically, smaller ones, and smaller companies end up taking most of the hit.
I think that this article really shows how global politics trickle down to everyday people. I think it’s interesting how something that sounds like a “government decision” ends up changing how small business owners run their shops. It’s also kind of frustrating, because the U.S. and Japan are allies, so you’d expect smoother trade between them. I think this happened because both sides are concerned with trying to protect their own economies, especially after years of global instability. It is a smart short term move for politics but in the long run, it might hurt innovation and limit opportunities for smaller companies to grow internationally.
From a stakeholders point of view, U.S. small business owners might respond by pushing for government help or tax breaks to offset higher costs. Japans exporters will probably try to expand into other markets in Asia to make up for losses in the U.S. The U.S. government could use the tariffs to show voters its “protecting American jobs,” even if it creates new challenges. Japan might quietly negotiate behind the scenes to reduce tension since it relies heavily on trade with the U.S. In the end both countries will have to find a middle ground to keep their alliance strong.
The U.S. Tariffs that were placed on Japanese goods connects with international relations by showing economic interdependence and globalization. It shows that even though countries rely on each other, they still make decisions that protect their own national interests first, which ties into realism. It also connects to liberalism since both the U.S. and Japan usually prefer cooperation through trade agreements. This situation shows how fragile those agreements really are when politics or public pressure get involved. This is a good example of how the concepts we talk about in class like power, cooperation, and competition show up in real global events like through trade and economics.