In an increasingly interconnected world, global trade tensions are no longer just a headline issue—they’re hitting the bottom line for startups and SMEs in very real ways. Tariffs, disrupted shipping routes, and currency volatility are all symptoms of a wider issue: trade wars that place disproportionate strain on smaller businesses. When raw materials get more expensive or harder to source, it’s the businesses with the tightest margins and leanest teams that feel it first.

So what can you do about it?

Let’s break it down.

Trade Wars 101: What They Mean for the Economy—and for You

At a macro level, trade wars typically trigger:

• Higher costs for imported goods due to new tariffs or trade barriers
• Slower economic growth as uncertainty dampens investment and demand
• Supply chain disruption as businesses scramble to find alternative partners
• Currency fluctuations as global markets react to policy shifts

While these effects hit entire economies, they land differently depending on your size and structure. Large corporates can hedge currency risk, diversify suppliers, or pass on cost increases to customers.For SMEs? Not so simple.

Startups and smaller companies often have limited supplier options, less pricing power, and tighter cash reserves. The result? Rising costs hit faster, harder, and are tougher to manage.

The Real Problem: The Payment Gap

Startups and SMEs often operate in a tricky financial cycle—paying suppliers upfront while waiting 30, 60, or even 90 days to get paid by customers.

Now layer on increased supply costs from trade wars, and you’ve got a real squeeze.Let’s say you’re a UK-based sustainable skincare brand sourcing recyclable packaging from China. Tariff changes suddenly increase your costs by 20%. But your cash position hasn’t changed—and your customers still pay on 60-day terms. That’s the gap.

Smart Financing Can Bridge That Gap

At Kikin, we believe businesses shouldn’t be penalised for growing. That’s why we provide fast, flexible working capital to help you stay ahead—especially when market forces outside your control make things harder.

Our platform turns your outstanding invoices into immediate funding. So instead of waiting for payments, you can pay your suppliers on time, order more stock, and keep operations moving.

✅ No long bank processes

✅ No need to give up equity

✅ Just smart, embedded capital to keep your business resilient

And here’s what makes Kikin even more powerful for mission-led businesses:

We offer discounted rates to companies that prioritise people and the planet.

If your business is B Corp certified, has a 1% for the Planet accreditation, or actively reducing emissions, or making sustainable decisions in your supply chain, you’ll automatically benefit from more affordable funding. Because supporting impact-led businesses isn’t just something we say—it’s something we build into our model.

Why Financial Agility is a Competitive Advantage

Trade wars aren’t going away anytime soon. And while you can’t predict the next tariff change, you can control how well prepared you are to respond.

Cash flow is the fuel behind every growth decision—whether it’s stocking up on inventory ahead of price hikes, or locking in new supplier relationships. With the right funding in place, your business stays nimble and ready to act when opportunity strikes.

Final Word

Trade tensions might be global—but the effects are felt locally, and personally, by the businesses we work with every day.

We’ve built Kikin to give startups and SMEs a better way to manage these challenges—without slowing down your momentum. And if you’re a business doing the right thing for people and planet, we’ll make sure that support is even more affordable.

Want to find out how much funding your invoices could unlock? Visit kikin.io to get started in minutes.

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