Trade is our business

At FedEx, trade is our business, and expanding global trade is essential to our customers, our workers and our company. USMCA replaces the twenty-six-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), helping to streamline trade across the North American market, which is of critical importance to FedEx and our customers. 

“We applaud the governments of the United States, Mexico and Canada for working together to approve and implement an agreement that simplifies trade for the highly integrated North American supply chains,” said FedEx COO Raj Subramaniam. “Modernizing and expanding global trade through free trade agreements like USMCA breaks down trade barriers, creates new job opportunities and helps our customers reach new markets.” 

Following approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by Congress and the Administration, FedEx President and COO Raj Subramaniam issued this statement:

“FedEx applauds Congress and the Administration for approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This agreement will help to streamline trade across the North American market, which is of critical importance to FedEx and our customers. Highly integrated North American supply chains will continue to benefit all three economies and make them more competitive around the world.”

75% of U.S. Small- and Medium-Sized Business Leaders Say Trade Directly Benefits Them

Trade Index reveals the impact of global trade, technology, and trade policy on U.S. businesses

Washington D.C., March 14, 2024 – FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) today released its Small Business Trade Index, a survey of U.S. small- and medium-sized business (SMB) leaders about their perceptions of the economy and trade. The study, which analyzed how technology and other trade policies impact U.S. business growth, found that a vast majority of SMBs believe trade is essential to growing and expanding the U.S. economy (88%) and growing jobs (85%). The Trade Index was comprised of 1,000 SMB leaders and conducted by Morning Consult between February 14 and 24, 2024.

“Trade opens new markets for businesses of all sizes and offers opportunities for engagement at a time when connectivity is needed most,” said Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO, FedEx Corporation. “Policymakers must reprioritize ambitious trade agreements so U.S. businesses can compete around the world, access new customers, and set the rules for fair and smart supply chains that connect the global marketplace.”

More than two-thirds of U.S. SMB leaders rely on imported goods for production or as merchandise to distribute domestically. These businesses report they export products that utilize imported materials, and 82% say the ability to import products or components from overseas directly supports jobs within their company. The majority of SMB leaders believe expanding trade to customers in other countries is a good thing, with approximately 9 in 10 identifying that the most important countries to maintain trade with are Japan, the United Kingdom, and China.

The Trade Index demonstrated that the growth of e-commerce and the advancement of technology is vital to U.S. small- and medium-sized businesses. More than 9 in 10 report e-commerce platforms have been key to facilitating global trade, which has been an important growth driver of their business (86%).

The Trade Index also confirmed that U.S. small business decision makers face additional challenges, with the majority reporting shipping delays or disruptions due to geopolitical issues as a main barrier (84%). Trade policies such as de minimis streamline trade paperwork processes by exempting low-value goods from customs duties and/or taxes. More than 8 in 10 U.S. small business leaders say that eliminating de minimis would have an adverse impact on their operations.

A majority of business leaders report that compared to 10 years ago, they are more likely to believe global trade stimulates growth, creates jobs, and fosters innovation. They also recognize the importance of retraining or reskilling individuals impacted by increased trade. An overwhelming majority (95%) support prioritizing job retraining and upgrading skills among workers to help the U.S. compete globally.

FedEx conducts this survey among small- and medium-sized business leaders regularly to measure the impact trade has on U.S. businesses and their growth. FedEx operates the most extensive transportation network in the world, providing services to more than 220 countries and territories and moving more than 15 million packages per day.

For more:

2024 FedEx Trade Index Survey Results

Small and Medium Businesses:  Outlook Optimistic for Growth

Survey Finds Trade and E-Commerce Opportunities for Canadian SMEs

MISSISSAUGA, ON., June 9, 2022— Canadian small and medium decision-makers (SMEs) are signaling signs of optimism for the next year, even while the effects from the pandemic are still being felt.  These findings were driven by current and projected business performance as well as a belief in opportunities through increased trade as identified in the third edition of the FedEx Trade Index, an annual poll of 500 small and medium business decision-makers conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of FedEx Express Canada, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX).

Of those surveyed in the FedEx Trade Index, over one-third of survey respondents (39 per cent) reported that their current revenues are increasing.  This is a trend Canadian SMEs expect to continue, with 54 per cent stating they feel confident their revenues will increase in a year from now.  What’s more, 89 per cent of survey respondents stated they were confident they will retain existing customers. 

On the topic of trade, 76 per cent of small and medium decision-makers surveyed agree that trade is key to growing and expanding the economy.  In fact, despite the much-publicized challenges global supply chains experienced in 2021, three-quarters (79 per cent) of respondents believe that expanding trade and business opportunities to customers in other countries is good.

"The pandemic has been the most challenging time for small and medium businesses in generations, yet the optimism Canada's entrepreneurs exude is something we should all embrace," said Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Express Canada.  "Despite the bumps with the global supply chain over the last few months, SMEs continue to recognize the importance of international trade.  Their confidence in global trade fueling the performance of the Canadian economy shows our business leaders have embraced a growth-mindset for this year—which is exactly what our economy needs right now."

E-commerce, International Trade Remain Untapped Opportunities

While the SMEs surveyed believe in the growth potential offered by greater international trade, only 39 per cent of respondents import or export goods and services.  Of those who do not import or export, the overwhelming reason cited by 64 per cent of respondents was simply that most of their customers were local.  A possible reason why some SMEs have not expanded their customers pool is the lack of an e-commerce strategy, given just under half of those surveyed – 46 per cent - currently sell goods online.

FedEx supports trade agreements that reduce trade barriers and create opportunities for our customers, actively supporting government measures to expand access via the opening of markets and sharing of information around the world.  As the 2022 FedEx Trade index shows, support in understanding and entering into international trade is critical, with 89 per cent of survey respondents who import or export goods saying that cross-country regulations on data, terms, and product information are essential when ordering products from other countries.   Fees and tariffs, a common theme in past editions of the FedEx Trade Index, also continue to be a concern, with 81 per cent of business that import or export goods saying fees and tariffs have had either a great deal or some impact on the growth of their businesses.

"Consumers around the world can benefit from made-in-Canada goods and services, and e-commerce is the gateway to helping businesses of all sizes enter and prosper in new markets," said Lisson.  "For the 41 per cent of survey respondents who said they found it hard to acquire new customers domestically, and for any business owners who are only catering to their local customers, we urge them to take a step back to see their potential in reaching 7.8 billion people.  The success of those entrepreneurs who have made the world their marketplace is an inspiration to all Canadian SMEs."      

Support for CUSMA Remains Strong

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) CUSMA continues to be overwhelmingly supported among small businesses in Canada with 89 per cent of survey respondents support the trade agreement.  Forty-two per cent of survey respondents stated that CUSMA has had a positive impact on their business, with just 10 per cent stating that CUSMA had a negative effect.  FedEx plays a critical role in expanding trade by connecting people and possibilities, helping businesses build more nimble supply chains, and delivering local products and services to customers worldwide.    

About the Survey

This poll was conducted between May 24 and May 29, 2022, and was conducted among small and medium business decision-makers, defined as those who work for companies with less than 500 employees and hold a position of manager or higher.  Five hundred small business decision-makers were interviewed in Canada.  Interviews were conducted online using a panel of respondents.   These data are not weighted, though basic stratification parameters for gender and region were in place during the sampling process.  Results from the complete survey have a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services.  With annual revenue of $92 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand.  Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its 600,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities.  FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040.  To learn more, please visit about.fedex.com.

Spring 2022 Survey Results     

Nueve De Cada Diez MiPyMEs Mexicanas Confían En El Éxito Futuro De Su Negocio

6 de junio de 2022 - La expansión del comercio con otros países crea nuevas oportunidades de empleo y desarrollo para México, de acuerdo con los líderes de medianos y pequeños negocios encuestados para el segundo Índice de Comercio de Pequeños Negocios México 2022 de FedEx. 

El estudio, comisionado por FedEx Express, compañía subsidiaria de FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) en México, y realizado por Morning Consult Group, consiste en una encuesta a 500 micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas (MiPyMEs) que rastrea el impacto del comercio internacional para este segmento de la economía mexicana. Tras su éxito en el mercado de EE. UU. y Canadá, la encuesta se lleva a cabo por segunda vez en México, donde ha demostrado tener gran valor agregado para el análisis de información que FedEx realiza en su proceso de mejora e innovación de soluciones logísticas para sus clientes.  

Los resultados del Índice de Comercio de Pequeños Negocios México 2022 de FedEx dan perspectivas optimistas para el crecimiento de las MiPyMEs con nueve de cada diez empresas encuestadas confiando en mantener sus clientes actuales y el éxito a futuro de su negocio. Igualmente, se reveló que la emergencia sanitaria provocada por el COVID-19 sigue teniendo un impacto negativo en las MiPyMEs; de hecho, el 58% de los encuestados mencionaron que tienen dificultades para captar nuevos clientes a nivel internacional, citando las restricciones y los cierres comerciales como causa. 

“La pandemia ha sido el obstáculo más desafiante para las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas en años recientes. Sin embargo, el optimismo que tienen los empresarios de México es alentador y nos permite ver nuevas perspectivas”, dijo Jorge Gómez, vicepresidente de ventas para FedEx Express Latinoamérica y Caribe. “A pesar de los retos que ha enfrentado la cadena de suministro mundial en los últimos meses, las MiPyMEs siguen reconociendo la importancia del comercio internacional. Su confianza en que el comercio mundial impulsa el desarrollo de la economía mexicana demuestra que nuestros líderes empresariales tienen una mentalidad de crecimiento para 2022, que es exactamente lo que nuestra economía necesita en este momento.” 

Frente a este contexto, el 91% de las MiPyMEs están de acuerdo en que el comercio internacional beneficiará a la economía y en consecuencia seguirán creando nuevas oportunidades de empleo; sin embargo, el 47% citan las altas tasas e impuestos de importación/exportación como principal obstáculo. Para las MiPyMEs que desean internacionalizarse, el costo de los envíos está considerado como un reto, junto con las variaciones en las tasas y aranceles. La encuesta también reveló que la mayoría de estos negocios se han visto afectados por las fluctuaciones en estas tarifas, lo que puede disuadirlas de incursionar en el comercio internacional en el futuro.  

Por otro lado, la pandemia aceleró vertiginosamente la digitalización de los negocios y puso al e-commerce a la cabeza, con la venta de productos en línea, siendo considerada importante para el desarrollo y crecimiento de cualquier empresa; pero el 55% de las MiPyMEs aún no cuenta con operaciones en línea.  

Otros descubrimientos de la encuesta incluyen: 

• La mayoría de las MiPyMEs mexicanas están de acuerdo en que los programas para retener empleos y desarrollar habilidades deben ser una prioridad para que México compita globalmente.  
• Menos de un tercio de las MiPyMEs en México (29%) importan o exportan bienes de otro país; de este 29%, aproximadamente un 34% importan y 30% son exportadoras. 
• El 66% de las MiPyMEs están de acuerdo en que vale la pena realizar la inversión para tener clientes internacionales. 
• El 62% afirman que el hecho de que los consumidores tengan menos dinero para gastar, es una barrera importante para sus clientes nacionales. 

Apoyo mayoritario para el T-MEC

FedEx fomenta los acuerdos que reducen las barreras comerciales y crean oportunidades para sus clientes, apoyando activamente las medidas gubernamentales para expandir el acceso al comercio a través de la apertura de mercados y el intercambio de información en todo el mundo. Este es el mismo caso para las MiPyMEs encuestadas. El Tratado entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá (T-MEC) sigue recibiendo un apoyo mayoritario entre las MiPyMEs mexicanas. El 95% de los encuestados apoya este acuerdo comercial. Además, una de cada tres empresas encuestadas está de acuerdo en que el comercio internacional seguirá siendo una fuente de oportunidades y empleos. 

Acerca de la encuesta

Esta encuesta se realizó entre el 14 y el 18 de abril de 2022. La encuesta se realizó a líderes de micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas, definidas como negocios con menos de 500 empleados. Se encuestó a 500 empresarios clave, que ocupan un cargo igual o superior al de gerente. Estas entrevistas se realizaron en línea utilizando un panel de encuestadores. El objetivo de la investigación es comprender el impacto del comercio internacional entre las pequeñas empresas y sus opiniones con respecto a la economía nacional. Los datos no están ponderados, aunque durante el muestreo se aplicaron parámetros básicos de estratificación por género y región durante el proceso de muestreo. Los resultados de la encuesta completa tienen un margen de error de aproximadamente 4 puntos porcentuales.

Spring 2022 Mexico infographic (ESP)  

In February 2022, FedEx hosted a webinar with The Globe and Mail to preview findings of the third edition of the FedEx Canada Trade Index, an annual poll of 500 Canadian small and medium business decision-makers conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of FedEx Express Canada, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp.

Winter 2022 Canada Trade Index: The Globe and Mail webinar deck

FedEx Trade Index: As U.S. Small Businesses Rebound from Pandemic, Trade Viewed as Opportunity at Both Company and Country Level

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 9, 2021 – A shift to e-commerce has helped many U.S. small businesses weather the pandemic, but e-commerce platforms are also viewed as the most important tool for these businesses to increase their global reach, according to the latest FedEx Trade Index ⁽¹⁾.

In this survey of 1,000 U.S. small business leaders conducted by Morning Consult for FedEx, three in four respondents view expanding trade between the U.S. and customers in other countries as a good thing, with nearly half believing that expanded trade will help their business or company, specifically. An even higher percentage, 78%, agree that increasing trade will lead to opportunities and job creation.

“E-commerce has been a lifeline for consumers and businesses of all sizes during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to keep goods and global supply chains moving,” said Brie Carere, executive vice president, chief marketing and communications officer, FedEx Corp. “U.S. small business leaders clearly understand the power and potential that trade can bring to their business and the economy. Though reaching international markets can seem overwhelming, we work every day to help connect our small and medium-sized customers to opportunities and markets around the world.”

Small business decision makers are also increasingly positive about the health of their business. Forty-five percent of surveyed business owners say their revenue is currently increasing, up nine percentage points from last year’s results (36%) though lower than the pre-pandemic figure of 56% in Fall 2019. Additionally, 62% said they expect their income to increase in the next year, a four-percentage point increase from last year’s Trade Index.

This year’s FedEx Trade Index also asked U.S. small business leaders about their perspectives on environmental sustainability. A large majority of the U.S. small business leaders surveyed—82%—agreed that companies are responsible for managing their own environmental impact. However, only about half of respondents said they felt like the government provided enough resources for their business to be as environmentally sustainable as possible (53%) or adequately focuses on environmental issues in trade (50%). 

See the full Fall 2021 FedEx Trade Index findings:

Survey Results

Infographic

[1] The FedEx Trade Index is a national survey of 1,000 U.S. small business leaders conducted by Morning Consult. Respondents included business owners and executives at companies with between two and 500 employees. The U.S. research was conducted online October 11-14, 2021. The margin of error for the full sample is +/-3%.

PyMEs observan el comercio internacional como clave en la reactivación económica en México

5 de mayo de 2021 - FedEx Express en México, empresa subsidiaria de FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX), en conjunto con Morning Consulting Group, una compañía de inteligencia global, presentaron por primera vez en el país el Índice Comercial 2021, una encuesta que mide la salud de las pequeñas y medianas empresas, analiza las percepciones de sus representantes acerca T-MEC, sus perspectivas ante el impacto de la pandemia y otros temas relacionados con comercio internacional.

Las PyMEs mexicanas concuerdan en que la recuperación económica del país y el comercio internacional están estrechamente vinculados. El estudio revela que el 94% de las pequeñas y medianas empresas encuestadas en México está de acuerdo en que el aumento del comercio entre México/EE.UU./Canadá y otros países, mejorará la economía en su conjunto.

Por otro lado, mientras el 19 % de las empresas encuestadas afirman que sus ingresos están disminuyendo, son generalmente optimistas sobre el futuro de su negocio. El 56 % dice creer que dentro de un año sus ingresos aumentarán y el 90 % confía en el futuro exitoso de su negocio.

“Los resultados del Índice Comercial reflejan el optimismo que, a pesar de la incertidumbre, muestran las pequeñas y medianas empresas mexicanas para consolidarse como los principales vehículos de reactivación económica nacional, aprovechando el crecimiento exponencial del e-commerce, optimizando la digitalización de sus procesos y extendiendo su oferta de valor en mercados fuera de sus fronteras a través de las oportunidades que les otorgan acuerdos internacionales como el T-MEC”, comenta Jorge Gómez, vicepresidente de ventas para FedEx en Latinoamérica.

Recuperarse de la pandemia de COVID-19 puede resultar un proceso largo, ya que el 44 % de las pequeñas empresas aseguran que no esperan volver a las actividades de manera presencial durante al menos seis meses. Sin embargo, una de las claves para la recuperación es: una mayor capacidad de envío. El 68 % de las pequeñas empresas en México afirman que un aumento en su capacidad para enviar productos a nivel nacional será importante para la recuperación de su negocio frente a la COVID-19 y un 58 % opina lo mismo con respecto a los envíos internacionales.

No obstante, aunque la gran mayoría de las PyMEs (85 %) cree que el aumento del comercio entre México y otros países ayudará a sus negocios. Sin embargo, sólo el 49 % de éstas venden actualmente productos en línea, hecho que les permite ampliar su oferta a mercados internacionales. Si bien comparten la opinión de que el comercio es de suma importancia para la economía, la encuesta confirma se enfocan principalmente en los clientes locales, con un 62 % de las PyMEs encuestadas argumentando que el motivo fundamental por el que su negocio no importa o exporta es porque sus clientes son en su mayoría nacionales.

En un análisis más a profundidad sobre el impacto del comercio en las pequeñas empresas, la encuesta revela que el 81% de las PyMEs admite que las tarifas y los aranceles han tenido un gran o algún efecto en el crecimiento de sus negocios. El 54 % afirma que los aranceles de importación o exportación son un gran desafío para su negocio, mientras que el 43 % opina lo mismo sobre las variaciones en estas tarifas y aranceles.

• Apoyo abrumador para el T-MEC

El T-MEC goza de un apoyo abrumador entre los responsables de la toma de decisiones de las pequeñas empresas. Casi todos los encargados de PyMEs en México apoyan (98 %) al T-MEC. Las pequeñas empresas perciben que el comercio internacional no solo ayudará a la economía mexicana, sino también a sus negocios personales.

• Acerca de la encuesta
  

En México la encuesta entre 11 y 12 de enero del 2021, entre 500 responsables de tomar decisiones en pequeñas y medianas empresas de México. Estas entrevistas se realizaron en línea utilizando un panel de encuestadores. El objetivo de la investigación es comprender el impacto del comercio internacional entre las pequeñas empresas y sus opiniones con respecto a la economía nacional.

Spring 2021 Mexico Results (ESP)

Small Businesses: Trade Critical to Canada’s Economic Recovery

Survey Finds Small Businesses Optimistic for Better Fortunes in 2021

MISSISSAUGA, ON., Nov 2, 2020 —  Canadian small businesses have made it clear that economic recovery and international trade are closely linked, with 80 per cent agreeing that increasing trade between Canada and other countries will improve the economy overall. This comes from the 2020 FedEx Trade Index, a poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of FedEx Express Canada, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX).

While 31 per cent of Canadian small businesses say their revenues are decreasing, small businesses are generally optimistic about the future of their business. Forty-three per cent say they believe a year from now their revenues will be increasing and 78 percent are confident in the future success of their business.

“Small businesses are the foundation upon which Canada’s economy is built,” said Lisa Lisson, president, FedEx Express Canada.  “Small businesses are going through a generational battle for survival and their success is key to Canada’s economic recovery.  Despite their challenges, their optimism is encouraging.”

Overlooked Opportunities:  E-commerce, International Trade 
Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic may prove to be a long process, with one in five small businesses who have moved to temporary remote work saying they do not expect to move back to in-person office until next year.   However, half of small businesses (51 per cent) believe that increasing the amount of trade between Canada and other countries will help their business.  Surprisingly, only 39 per cent of Canadian small businesses are currently selling goods online. While Canadian SMEs share the view that trade is important to the economy, the poll confirms that vast majority of survey respondents (59 per cent) state the main reason their business does not import or export is because their customers are mainly local.

“Our borders remain open for trade and new markets wait for Canada’s goods and services.  In challenging times such as these, we urge our small business owners to explore new strategies” said Lisa Lisson, President of FedEx Express Canada.  “The FedEx Trade Index suggests not enough small business owners have pivoted their “brick and mortar” operations with “click and mortar” enhancements, opening their potential customer base to 7.8 billion people.  This is where our small businesses can find growth potential.”

FedEx supports trade agreements that reduce trade barriers and create opportunities for our customers.   Looking more deeply at the impact trade has on small businesses, 73 per cent of SMEs who import or export goods admit that fees and tariffs have had a great deal or some effect on the growth on their business. Four out of ten (41 per cent) SMEs who import or export goods say import/export fees are a major challenge to their business, with 38 per cent saying the same about the variations in fees and tariffs. This represents a real barrier to Canadian small businesses when importing or exporting goods to and from different countries.  FedEx actively supports governments’ measures aimed at expanding access via the opening of markets and sharing of information around the world.

Overwhelming Support for CUSMA
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) enjoys overwhelming support among small business decision makers. Nearly nine in ten small business decision makers (86%) in Canada support CUSMA. Small businesses feel that international trade will not only help the Canadian economy, but their personal business as well.  More than half of Canadian small businesses (51%) think increasing trade between their country and other countries will help their company.  FedEx plays a critical role in expanding trade by connecting people and possibilities, helping businesses build more nimble supply chains, and delivering local products and services to customers around the world.

About the Survey
The poll was conducted from September 29 to September 29, 2019 among 500 small business decision makers in the Canada. These interviews were conducted online using a panel of respondents. The goal of the research is to understand the impact of international trade among small business and as well as their opinions regarding the national economy.

Fall 2020 Survey Results

Fall 2020 Infographic

FedEx Trade Index: Small Businesses View Trade, Technology as Avenues for Growth, Essential to COVID-19 Recovery

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 29, 2020 —  A majority of U.S. small business leaders think expanded trade between the United States and other countries creates opportunity and jobs in the U.S., notes the sixth FedEx Trade Index(1), a survey of 1,000 small business leaders which tracks the impact of international trade among the small business segment of the U.S. economy.

The survey*, commissioned by FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and conducted by Morning Consult, finds 82% of U.S. small business decision makers believe increasing trade between the U.S. and other countries will improve the economy overall. Three-fourths (75%) of these small business leaders think expanding trade will create opportunities and jobs. Still, some respondents report feeling unable to take full advantage of the benefits of trade: 70% of companies engaged in international trade said that customs regulations presented a barrier to their international e-commerce business.

"The results of the FedEx Trade Index remind us that, even in times of global uncertainty, small businesses overwhelmingly value the opportunities for growth and access to new markets that are made possible through global trade," said Brie Carere, executive vice president, chief marketing and communications officer, FedEx Corp. "In 2020, small businesses are adapting rapidly to embrace e-commerce and extending their reach to new consumers beyond their borders. Small businesses believe in the benefits of modern free trade agreements to enable their growth."

The Fall 2020 FedEx Trade Index also features a complementary survey conducted in Canada, offering insights from business leaders from two of the three markets in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which took effect in July 2020. An overwhelming majority (91%) of U.S. small business leaders are supportive of USMCA, up from 84% in the Fall 2019 FedEx Trade Index. Small business support for the agreement is also strong among survey respondents in Canada, where 86% of small business leaders expressed their support for USMCA.

Additional insights include:

• 85% of U.S. small businesses agree that programs addressing job retraining and skills upgrading should be a priority to help the U.S. compete globally.
• 47% of small businesses report investing in new technology since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A majority of respondents say using technology to create better customer (74%) and employee (71%) experiences is important for their small business’ success and COVID-19 recovery.

[1] The FedEx Trade Index is a national survey of 1,000 U.S. small business leaders conducted by Morning Consult. Trade Index research also incorporated 500 respondents in Canada. Respondents included business owners and executives at companies with between two and 500 employees. The U.S. and Canada research was conducted online September 28-29, 2020. The margin of error for the full sample is +/-3%.

Fall 2020 Survey Results

Fall 2020 Infographic

Fall 2019 Canada Trade Index Press Release – November 13, 2019

Small & Medium Businesses: Trade Key to Canada’s Economic Growth (ENGLISH)

MISSISSAUGA, ON., November 13, 2019— Canadian small and medium businesses (SMEs) have made it clear that economic improvement and international trade are closely linked, with 83 per cent agreeing that increasing trade between Canada and other countries will improve the economy overall. This comes from the 2019 FedEx Trade Index, a poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of FedEx Express Canada, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX).

Despite a majority of SMEs (57 per cent) believing that increasing the amount of trade between Canada and other countries will help their business, only 37 per cent of Canadian SMEs are currently selling goods online. This is in contrast with American counterparts, who are doing more business online (44 per cent).  While both Canadian and US SMEs share the view that trade is important to the economy, the poll confirms both are largely focused on local customers.

“These results are very clear when it comes to our country’s approach to trade,” said Lisa Lisson, President of FedEx Express Canada. “Put simply, it is vital that SMEs and their ability to compete on the global stage remains a priority in Canada, to contribute to economic growth. Looking at how we achieve this growth, we know there is a huge opportunity for Canadian SMEs to harness the digital economy – and they should absolutely be using it to their advantage.”

Looking more deeply at the impact trade has on SMEs who currently import/export, 81 per cent admit that fees and tariffs have had a great deal or some effect on the growth on their business. Also within this group, nearly half (48 per cent) of those surveyed say that variations in fees and tariffs have been a major challenge to their business; and 44 per cent say that import and export fees have been a major challenge to their business.

The poll was conducted from September 17 to September 20, 2019 among 500 SME decision makers in the Canada. These interviews were conducted online using a panel of respondents.  The goal of the research is to understand the impact of international trade among SMEs and as well as their opinions regarding the national economy.

Overwhelming Support for NAFTA / CUSMA

While SMEs in Canada feel that trade is critically important to the economy and growth of both their country and their business, many face obstacles when engaging in trade.  Nearly a quarter of SMEs in Canada who import or export goods (24 per cent) say that fees and tariffs have impacted the growth of their business a great deal, representing a real barrier to Canadian SMEs when importing or exporting goods to and from different countries.

Both NAFTA and CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) have positive support among SMEs in Canada. Nine in ten of those surveyed (90 per cent) in Canada support NAFTA.  A similar amount (86 per cent) of SMEs in Canada expressed their support of CUSMA.  SMEs feel that international trade will not only help the Canadian economy, but their personal business as well.  More than half of Canadian SMEs (57 per cent) think increasing trade between their country and other countries will help their company.

“FedEx is committed to supporting trade policies that boost Canadian economic growth and competitiveness,” said Lisson.  “Canada needs to pursue a comprehensive pro-growth, pro-competitiveness agenda that can help strengthen our global economic leadership.  With 99.5 per cent of the world’s population outside Canada, we need to continue to find ways to reduce barriers to Canadian goods and services around the world.”

About the Survey

This poll was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of FedEx between September 17-September 20, 2019 among a sample of 500 Small Business managers and executives in Canada.  The interviews were conducted online and respondents were sourced using online panels. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $70 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 450,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.

Fall 2019 Canada Trade Index Press Release – November 13, 2019

Small & Medium Businesses: Trade Key to Canada’s Economic Growth (FRENCH)

MISSISSAUGA (Ontario), le 13 novembre 2019 – Les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) canadiennes ont clairement indiqué que l’amélioration de l’économie et le commerce international sont étroitement liés, 83 % d’entre elles convenant que le renforcement du commerce entre le Canada et les autres pays contribuera à renforcer la situation globale de l’économie. Ce constat est tiré de l’Indice commercial FedEx 2019, un sondage mené par Morning Consult pour le compte de FedEx Express Canada, une filiale de FedEx Corp (NYSE : FDX).

Bien qu’une majorité de PME (57 %) croient qu’une augmentation des échanges commerciaux entre le Canada et les autres pays les aidera, seulement 37 % des PME canadiennes vendent actuellement des produits en ligne. Cela fait contraste avec leurs homologues américains, qui font plus d’affaires en ligne (44 %). Bien que les PME canadiennes et américaines partagent le point de vue que le commerce est important pour l’économie, le sondage confirme qu’elles se concentrent avant tout sur les clients locaux.

« Ces résultats sont très clairs en ce qui concerne l’approche de notre pays en matière de commerce », a affirmé Lisa Lisson, présidente de FedEx Express Canada. « En termes simples, il est essentiel que le renforcement de la capacité des PME à soutenir la concurrence sur la scène mondiale demeure une priorité au Canada, afin de contribuer à la croissance économique. En examinant comment assurer cette croissance, on constate que les PME canadiennes ont d’énormes possibilités de tirer parti de l’économie numérique – et elles devraient absolument l’exploiter à leur avantage. »

Si l’on examine de plus près l’incidence du commerce sur les PME qui importent ou exportent actuellement, 81 % d’entre elles reconnaissent que les frais et les droits de douane ont eu un effet important ou un certain effet sur la croissance de leur entreprise. De plus, au sein de ce groupe, près de la moitié (48 %) des répondants ont indiqué que les variations des frais et des droits de douane avaient constitué un défi majeur pour leur entreprise, alors que 44 % d’entre eux ont fait savoir que les frais à I’importation et à I’exportation avaient représenté un défi important pour leur entreprise.

Le sondage a été mené du 17 au 20 septembre 2019 auprès de 500 décideurs de PME du Canada. Ces entrevues ont été réalisées en ligne auprès d’un groupe de répondants. L’objectif de cette recherche est de comprendre l’incidence du commerce international sur les PME ainsi que leurs opinions sur l’économie nationale.

Appui massif à l’ALENA et à l’ACEUM

Bien que les PME canadiennes estiment que le commerce est d’une importance cruciale pour l’économie et la croissance de leur pays et de leur entreprise, bon nombre d’entre elles se heurtent à des obstacles lorsqu’elles font du commerce. Près du quart des PME canadiennes qui importent ou exportent des marchandises (24 %) affirment que les frais et les droits de douane ont eu une incidence considérable sur la croissance de leur entreprise, ce qui représente une barrière réelle quand vient le temps d’importer ou d’exporter des marchandises vers et depuis différents pays.

L’ALENA et l’Accord Canada–États-Unis-Mexique (ACEUM) bénéficient tous deux d’un soutien positif parmi les PME du Canada. Au Canada, 9 personnes interrogées sur 10 (90 %) appuient l’ALENA. Un pourcentage semblable (86 %) de PME au Canada ont exprimé leur appui à l’égard de l’ACEUM. Les PME estiment que le commerce international aidera non seulement l’économie canadienne, mais aussi leur propre entreprise. Plus de la moitié des PME canadiennes (57 %) pensent que le renforcement des échanges commerciaux entre leur pays et d’autres pays aidera leur entreprise.

« FedEx est déterminée à appuyer les politiques commerciales qui stimulent la croissance économique et la compétitivité du Canada, a soutenu Mme Lisson. Le Canada doit mettre en œuvre un programme complet axé sur la croissance et la compétitivité qui peut contribuer à renforcer notre leadership économique mondial. Étant donné que 99,5 % de la population mondiale vit à l’extérieur du Canada, nous devons continuer à trouver des moyens de réduire les obstacles qui se dressent devant les biens et services canadiens partout dans le monde. »

À propos du sondage

Ce sondage a été réalisé par Morning Consult pour le compte de FedEx entre le 17 et le 20 septembre 2019 auprès d’un échantillon de 500 gestionnaires et cadres de petites entreprises au Canada. Les entrevues ont été réalisées en ligne, et les répondants ont été interrogés au moyen de groupes de discussion en ligne. Les résultats du sondage intégral comportent une marge d’erreur de plus ou moins 4 points de pourcentage.

À propos de FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE : FDX) offre à ses clients et aux entreprises du monde entier un large éventail de services de transport, de commerce électronique et de services aux entreprises. La société, dont les revenus annuels se chiffrent à 70 milliards de dollars, fournit des solutions commerciales intégrées aux entreprises par l’entremise de ses sociétés en exploitation gérées en collaboration, qui font face à la concurrence de façon collective sous le nom respecté de FedEx. Citée régulièrement comme l’un des employeurs les plus admirés et respectés au monde, FedEx exige que les 450 000 membres de son équipe restent concentrés sur la sécurité, sur le respect des normes éthiques et professionnelles les plus élevées, ainsi que sur les besoins de leurs clients et de leurs collectivités. Pour obtenir plus de renseignements sur la manière dont FedEx bâtit des ponts entre les gens et les possibilités partout dans le monde, visitez about.fedex.com.

Fall 2019 Canada Survey Results

Fall 2019 Canada Infographic

FedEx Trade Index: Small Businesses See U.S. Trade As Driver Of Overall Economic Growth

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 24, 2019 —  Small business leaders increasingly view U.S. participation in global trade as the way to improve the overall economy and create American jobs, according to results of the fifth FedEx Trade Index(1), a survey of more than 1,000 small business leaders which tracks the impact of international trade among the small business segment of the U.S. economy.

The survey *, commissioned by FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and conducted by Morning Consult, finds a substantial majority of U.S. small business leaders (82%) see increasing U.S. trade as beneficial to the overall economy, and three out of four (75%) small business decision makers said selling goods online to international customers is important to the growth of their business.

When asked about the impact of fees and tariffs on the growth of their business, 80% said there has been some degree of impact. Nearly three in four (74%) businesses surveyed said that expanding opportunities between the U.S. and customers in other countries will increase job growth in the U.S.

“FedEx knows that simplifying and expanding global trade is essential to our customers’ success. The results of the latest FedEx Trade Index confirm the negative impact of tariffs on small business growth,” said Brie Carere executive vice president, chief marketing and communications officer, FedEx Corp. “We believe everyone benefits when it’s easier to bring new ideas and products to the global market. Breaking down trade barriers is essential to creating new opportunities for our small business customers.”

Additional insights include:

• Nearly four in five small business decision makers (79%) in the United States support NAFTA.
  
• Sentiment for the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) is even higher with 84% of small business managers in the United States expressing their support of USMCA.

[1] The FedEx Trade Index is a national survey of more than 1000 small business leaders conducted by Morning Consult. Respondents included business owners and executives at companies with between two and 500 employees. It was conducted Sept. 12-16, 2019. The margin of error for the full sample is +/-3%.

Fall 2019 Survey Results

Fall 2019 Infographic

FedEx Newsroom – August 7, 2018
New FedEx Small Business Trade Index Survey Says Trade Boosts the U.S. Economy

WASHINGTON, August 7, 2018—Small business leaders increasingly view U.S. participation in global trade as the way to improve the overall economy and create American jobs, according to results of the fourth FedEx Trade Index(1), a survey of more than 1,000 small business leaders which tracks the impact of international trade among the small business segment of the U.S. economy.

The nationwide survey*, commissioned by FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and conducted by Morning Consult, finds a substantial majority of U.S. small business leaders (82%) see increasing U.S. trade as beneficial to the overall economy, up from 76% earlier this year, and two out of the three also say the U.S. risks falling behind if not included in trade agreements.

When asked about the impact of tariffs on imports from China,  two out of three small business leaders worry the tariffs will mean higher prices on consumer items, and three out of five say the impact on business will be negative.

“Tariffs can restrict global trade and economic growth,” said Raj Subramaniam, executive vice president, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, FedEx Corp. “FedEx supports lowering trade barriers so our customers can remain competitive in an increasingly global marketplace.”

[1] The FedEx Trade Index is a national survey of 1004 small business leaders conducted by Morning Consult. Respondents included business owners and executives at companies with between two and 500 employees. It was conducted July 9-10, 2018. The margin of error for the full sample is +/-3%.

*FedEx SME Trade Index #1 Fall 2016
*FedEx SME Trade Index #2 Spring 2017
*FedEx SME Trade Index #3 Winter 2018
*FedEx SME Trade Index #4 Summer 2018

Summer 2018 Infographic

FedEx Newsroom – February 20, 2018
New FedEx SME Trade Index: What Small Business Says about Trade

Results of the third FedEx SME Trade Index find that small business leaders view increasing U.S. participation in global trade as the way to create American jobs and improve the economy.

The results of the survey *, commissioned by FedEx and conducted by Morning Consult, find that not only do a substantial majority of U.S. small business leaders (76%) continue to view increasing trade as beneficial to the overall U.S. economy, two out of three (68%) also say the U.S. risks falling behind if not included in trade agreements.

"Expanding trade opportunities is essential for U.S. economic growth and American jobs,” said Raj Subramaniam, executive vice president, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, FedEx Corp. “Trade agreements lower barriers to American goods and services so the U.S. can remain competitive in an increasingly global marketplace."

Additional insights from the survey include:

• 66% of small businesses say increasing exports is the best way to reduce the trade deficit
• 82% of small businesses agree job retraining and skills upgrades are a priority for Americans to compete globally

Winter 2018 Infographic
Winter Survey Results

Blog – June 9, 2017
Support For Global Trade Is Growing

By: Rajesh Subramaniam

One would expect, given the anti-trade rhetoric over the past year that small business support for global trade would be declining. In fact, it’s the opposite.

The fact that marketplace changes for American small businesses now are faster, more global and more mobile has created the need for adjustments and the expansion of opportunities. At FedEx, we often hear from our own customers about the benefits of global trade, but with the recent FedEx Trade Index,* we also gathered opinions about global trade from a cross section of small business executives and managers. 

The results indicate that not only do small business leaders see the growth of global supply chains and trade as beneficial, support for global trade as integral to the future of America’s prosperity continues to climb. Take a look at the following:

Trade Improves the Economy:

Eight out of 10 (84%) small business leaders not only see global trade in a good light, 80% also say it will actually improve the U.S. economy overall. These results are nearly 10% higher than last year’s survey in September 2016. 

Trade Translates to Jobs:

Three out of four small business leaders (76%) said increasing global trade creates opportunities and U.S. jobs. This is up from 69 percent last year.

Trade Creates Success:

Three out of four (76%) small business leaders told us access to foreign components and parts is necessary for the U.S. to be competitive globally.

Trade Demands Job Retraining:

Nearly nine out of 10 (87%) agree the U.S. needs to update its workforce training to adapt to our economy.

While the future of trade policy may be uncertain, the future of trade’s critical importance to American economic growth remains positive for small business. It’s something we see every day at FedEx where trade IS our business. We’re firm believers that global trade continues to be good for our customers, our company and the country.

FedEx Newsroom – May 8, 2017
FedEx Trade Index: 8 in 10 Small Businesses Say Trade Will Improve the U.S. Economy

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2017 —  An increasing majority of U.S. small business leaders overwhelmingly view global trade as beneficial to Americans.  FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) has released results of the second FedEx Trade Index(1), a national survey of over 1,000 small business leaders which tracks the impact of international trade among the small business segment of the U.S. economy.

The results of the second survey*, commissioned by FedEx and conducted by Morning Consult, finds a significant majority (84%) of small business leaders say expanding trade between the U.S. and other countries is a good thing, up from 77% last year. Similarly, 8 in 10 small business leaders (80%) say increasing global trade will improve the U.S. economy overall, up from 71% in the 2016 Index. Three out of four small business leaders (76%) also agree increasing global trade will create opportunities and U.S. jobs, compared to 69% in September 2016.

“These results show even more American small business leaders support expanding trade than last year,” said Raj Subramaniam, executive vice president, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, FedEx Corp.  “One thing is certain – small business leaders continue to view the growth of global supply chains and trade as beneficial to American workers.”

Additional insights from the survey include:

• Nearly 3 out of 4 (74%) of small business leaders say access to foreign components and parts are necessary for the U.S. to be competitive.
  
• Nearly 90% of small business leaders now say the U.S. must do a better job of retraining its workforce to meet the needs of today’s economy.

“Retraining U.S. workers is a critical part of keeping the American economy expanding and competitive in global markets,” added Subramaniam. “FedEx is a strong supporter of continued efforts to strengthen job retraining programs throughout the United States.”

Spring 2017 Infographic
Spring 2017 Survey Results

FedEx Newsroom – September 22, 2016
FedEx Trade Index: Trade is a big deal for small business

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2016—Today, FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) introduces the new FedEx Trade Index(1), a series of national surveys commissioned by FedEx and conducted by Morning Consult. The FedEx Trade Index will periodically survey over 1,000 small business leaders to track the impact of international trade among the small business segment of the U.S. economy.

The results of the first survey finds a significant majority (71%) of small businesses see increasing global trade as improving the U.S. economy. Similarly, more than three out of four small business executives (77%) view expanding trade in a positive light overall. That number spikes to 90% for small companies that already trade internationally. Small business leaders surveyed also agree (69%) that increasing global trade will create jobs in the United States.

“Even during this time of intense debate about the benefits of trade, these results indicate American small business leaders see increasing global trade as a way to help the U.S. economy as a whole, as well as their businesses,” said Raj Subramaniam, executive vice president, FedEx Services. “The rapid growth of global ecommerce, which our FedEx customers experience every day, allows more and more U.S. small businesses to benefit from international trade.”

Additional insights from the survey include:

• Small business leaders engaged in global trade say they are growing faster and hiring more employees than small businesses who do not engage in trade. Sixty-five percent of small businesses that trade say their revenue is increasing versus 46 percent of small businesses that do not trade. Small businesses that trade are also 20 percent more likely to say they are hiring more employees.
  
• Small business leaders are more likely to support TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement) than registered U.S. voters. Nearly half (48%) of small business leaders surveyed support TPP, more than twice the number that said they do not support the agreement. For those small businesses that engage in trade, that support for TPP rises to 66%. This contrasts with U.S. registered voters of whom 35% support TPP, according to a Morning Consult public opinion poll conducted August 8-10, 2016.
  

"FedEx is a strong supporter of the TPP agreement because it will help small businesses in the U.S. expand their exports by eliminating tariffs and streamlining customs procedures, while at the same time contribute to new opportunities and jobs for American workers." added Subramaniam.

Blog – September 22, 2016
Trade: A Big Deal for Small Business
By: Rajesh Subramaniam

One of the good things about this election year, whether you like it or not, is that the concept of trade – the fundamental exchange of goods and services between the U.S. and other countries – is getting a lot of attention. In the long run, that may be a positive thing.

Impassioned speeches on trade command headlines, but they also drive dialogue, and it’s in that conversation where those affected daily by trade are also heard.

Is global trade good for small business in America? Even during this time of intense debate, American small business leaders see increasing global trade as a way to help the U.S. economy as a whole, as well as their businesses.

We often hear from our own customers about the benefits of trade, but with the new FedEx Trade Index, we commissioned a nationwide survey of over a thousand small business leaders for their views. The results may surprise you.

• Seven out of 10 leaders who run small businesses not only see global trade in a good light, 71% say it will actually improve the U.S. economy, even if they are not now engaged in trade.  
  
• That percentage spikes to 90% among small business leaders whose companies are currently engaged in global trade.
• As for revenue, 65% of small businesses that trade say their revenue is increasing versus 46% of small businesses that do not trade.
• As for hiring, small businesses that trade are 20% more likely to say they are hiring more employees than those that do not trade.

With today’s online digital economy, America’s international exports are increasingly being driven by small-and medium-sized businesses who are taking their skills, passions and products to global markets. That puts small businesses on equal footing with larger companies provided they have access to opportunity. One of the most effective ways to increase trade opportunities is through trade agreements.

Sometime this fall, Congress is expected to consider the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the agreement negotiated with 11 countries which will make U.S. products more competitive by reducing tariffs, and create more opportunities for small businesses by streamlining trade rules.

The FedEx Trade Index found nearly half (48%) of small business leaders support TPP. That’s more than twice the number who do not support the agreement. For small businesses that already engage in trade, support for TPP rises to 66 percent. 

It’s encouraging during these times that the survey results show small businesses have positive stories that reinforce the benefits of increased U.S. trade. This survey was the first in an upcoming series of the FedEx Trade Index that will track opinion trends in trade issues with small business leaders.  

While the next FedEx Trade Index will be conducted after the election, these results so far show small businesses in America are big supporters of global trade.  

Survey Results

On July 1, 2020, a new trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada took effect replacing NAFTA. This agreement is intended to create modernized rules between the three parties that address recent and emerging critical issues:

• Harmonization of regulatory systems
• E-commerce
• Protection of intellectual property

For more information please follow these links:

• FedEx Canada - English
• FedEx Canada - French
• FedEx Mexico
• FedEx United States