Welcome to this week’s Sourcing Spotlight.
In this weeks edition, we will be looking at the current situation at the Supreme Court with the question "are Tariffs illegal?", the geopolitical impact of China's Military Parade flexing.
Also, it's all about WINE in trade negotiations, how a simple grape can trump a semiconductor in a trade deal any day!
Feature Story
Trump’s Tariffs Head to the Supreme Court
The battle over tariffs is heating up again. President Trump has asked the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that found many of his tariffs were unlawful. If the justices agree to hear the case, it could redefine how much power the White House has to slap duties on imports without Congress stepping in.
For small businesses, the stakes are huge. A ruling against Trump could see some tariffs unwound and even open the door to refunds on duties already paid, although the administration is hinting at selective rather than blanket relief. On the flip side, if Trump wins, presidential authority over trade could be cemented, making future tariff shocks faster, broader, and harder to predict.
China’s Military Parade: What It Means for Supply Chains and Small Businesses
Beijing’s September military parade was more than a spectacle of tanks and missiles. With Xi Jinping flanked by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, the event signalled a tightening bloc of powers pushing against Western influence.
For small businesses, the real concern isn’t the fireworks. It’s the potential aftershocks: new tariffs, stricter export controls, and supply chains slowly fragmenting into “Eastern” and “Western” camps. None of this will flip overnight, but it adds another layer of uncertainty to sourcing in China.
So what should you do? Stay calm, but stay prepared. Keep close ties with your Chinese suppliers, map your exposure to tariffs, and explore “China plus one” sourcing options in places like Vietnam, Mexico, or Eastern Europe. Diversification and good communication beat panic every time.
The bottom line: supply chains aren’t closing, they’re shifting. If you keep optionality in your sourcing and watch the policy horizon, you’ll be ready to adapt whatever comes next.
The Power of Wine in Trade: More Than Just a Glass Half Full
When it comes to global trade, steel and semiconductors usually steal the headlines – but it’s wine that often has negotiators reaching for their calculators (and sometimes the corkscrew). From boosting Italy’s GDP to shaping free trade agreements and sparking tariff tantrums between Washington and Brussels, wine isn’t just dinner-table filler – it’s a strategic export powerhouse.
Why does this matter for small businesses? Because wine proves a point: it’s not always the “big ticket” products that sway trade deals. Sometimes, culture, heritage, and consumer demand pack more punch than raw numbers. If tariffs can flip the global wine market upside down, they can certainly shake up your own product category. Food for thought next time you’re scanning trade headlines… or pouring yourself a glass.
Archived Articles
DISCOVER OUR PREVIOUS ARTICLES….
From new AI concepts that could benefit you, to new technologies and strategies to navigate the current global economy. Read through for impactful resources to help you become proactive in your business.
US tariffs on Indian goods have surged to 50%, squeezing exporters and raising costs for buyers. Discover how small businesses can renegotiate prices, diversify supply chains, and use India’s tax relief to protect margins and stay competitive.
Walmart is using AI tool Pactum to negotiate with suppliers, and 85% prefer it to a human.
Tariffs sting, but they don’t have to sink your business. Discover how mid-market companies are nearshoring, redesigning products, and leveraging tech to turn trade disruption into resilient, profitable supply chains.
That’s it for this weeks Sourcing Spotlight.
Stay ahead of the curve by following us daily on Instagram at @thesourcingspotlight for fresh updates. Craving deeper insights? Dive into exclusive, in-depth analysis with our premium subscription, just $25 a month, and the first month is on us! Get all your most important small business news in one place, helping you navigate information effortlessly with actionable and insightful updates.
This Newsletter is sponsored by
Unlock the most powerful, structured system for Amazon success. With over 10 years of operating experience, billions in collective private label sales, and insights from thousands of top-performing sellers, we’ve engineered a clear roadmap for profitable growth. Our proven tools, strategies, and community provide everything you need to scale faster, smarter, and more confidently—without the guesswork.
Until next time,
Quiet sourcing. Loud impact.
