SMEs Resilient, Resourceful, Ready for the World: DHL Survey

Small and mid-sized businesses are proving, once again, that agility is their superpower. As 2025 unfolds, American SMEs are navigating rising costs, complex trade dynamics, and rapid-fire tech disruption—not by pulling back, but by leaning in, according to DHL Trade Atlas 2025, a DHL Express survey.

“Whether it’s expanding into new international markets or embracing AI to streamline operations, these companies are taking the twists and turns of the economic road in stride,” the survey says.

Key takeaways:

·        68% of SMEs say they’re meeting or beating expectations in 2025. Much of that success is fueled by laser-focused cost control (28%), smarter supply chains (15%), and market expansion efforts (18%).

·        Trade policy shifts and tariffs are on everyone’s radar (67% see them as the top hurdle to international expansion), but they’re not stopping the momentum. Europe tops the list for future growth (35%), followed by Asia (28%) and Latin America (25%).  And this optimism is backed by macro trends: countries like India, Vietnam, and the Philippines are expected to lead global trade growth, offering fresh opportunities for SMEs looking to diversify and de-risk their domestic dependency.

·        With 57% citing rising operational costs as their top internal challenge, it’s no surprise that tech is becoming a lifeline. SMEs are turning to AI and digital tools to drive efficiency and fuel innovation—signaling real momentum behind the digital transformation wave.

·        Only 10% of SMEs list talent as their top challenge, and even fewer (6%) struggle with tech integration. That’s a big shift, suggesting that businesses are finding their footing with hybrid models and digital adoption.