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Expert Insight: Tariff Turmoil Is Changing How Businesses Price Their Products
Tariffs are no longer simply a trade policy issue. They are becoming a significant challenge for businesses trying to manage costs, protect profits and remain competitive in an increasingly unpredictable global marketplace. A recent Reuters Plus feature, Why Tariff Volatility Makes Pricing a Forever Process, produced for global consultancy Simon-Kucher, examines how rapidly changing tariffs are forcing companies to continuously reassess their pricing strategies and supply chains. Among the experts featured is Anna Nagurney, Eugene M. Isenberg Chair in Integrative Studies at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. View her profile Nagurney, an internationally recognized expert in supply chain networks and disruption management, points to the extraordinary pace of trade policy changes. She estimates that U.S. tariff regulations changed approximately 50 times during 2025, creating uncertainty for manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. "The speed and uncertainty created a great deal of challenges for manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and, of course, consumers." Why Even Domestic Businesses Are Vulnerable One of the article's central messages is that businesses do not have to import products directly to feel the impact of tariffs. Higher costs can spread throughout interconnected supply chains, affecting suppliers, transportation networks and ultimately consumers. Nagurney emphasizes the importance of viewing supply chains as networks rather than simple, linear systems. By identifying critical suppliers, examining vulnerabilities and preparing for potential disruptions, businesses can make better decisions before costs escalate. She also cautions that smaller companies may struggle to absorb tariff-related increases without jeopardizing their financial stability. As businesses face continued uncertainty, Nagurney can provide valuable perspective on how tariffs influence supply chains, consumer prices, business competitiveness and the broader economy. An experienced commentator on global supply chain disruptions, Nagurney has provided analysis to major news organizations, including The New York Times, Associated Press, NPR, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and The Wall Street Journal. If you're interested in speaking with Anna Nagurney about tariffs, supply chain disruptions, pricing pressures, international trade and economic uncertainty, simply click on her profile to arrange an interview today.
What Marco Rubio's Speech on Ancient Greece Reveals About Leadership, Business and America's Future
What can ancient Greece teach modern America about leadership, economic success and the future of business? That question is at the center of a recent commentary by Rick Franza, PhD, professor at Augusta University's James M. Hull College of Business, published in Augusta Business Daily earlier this month. In his article, "Marco Rubio's Look Back to Move Us Forward: What He Nailed and What He Missed," Franza examines a speech delivered by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Athens, Greece, and considers its implications for American businesses, leadership and international relations. Franza explores Rubio's emphasis on ambition, competition, innovation and risk-taking, connecting these themes to the characteristics that have historically contributed to economic development and business success. He also identifies two important considerations he believes deserved greater attention: the role of morality and ethics in leadership and the importance of international trade to economic prosperity. "I am not saying we should be driven by greed and vanity, but rather be willing to continue to strive rather than waiting for others to catch up." Franza's commentary offers a perspective on how lessons from history can inform contemporary discussions about business leadership, economic policy and America's relationships with its international partners. As political and economic debates continue, Franza can help journalists explore the intersection of government policy, business competitiveness, ethical leadership and international commerce. If you're interested in speaking with Dr. Rick Franza about business leadership, economic policy, international trade and the relationship between politics and business, simply click on his profile to arrange an interview today.
Why the retirement plan that worked for your parents is failing millions of Canadians
Last month, I found a jar of mustard at the back of my fridge with a best-before date of 2019. It looked and smelled fine. My wife watched me unscrew the lid like I was about to eat gas-station sushi, and I threw the mustard away. I wish Canadians gave their retirement plans the same hard look, because most of the advice we hand people over 55 carries a best-before date of 1990, the year my parents' retirement began. They met at the grocery chain where they both worked, and each left with a defined-benefit pension: a monthly cheque that arrived for the rest of their lives, regardless of what the stock market did. Their employer bore the investment risk. Their job was to show up at the retirement party and eat the cake. That plan stood on three legs: a workplace pension, CPP and Old Age Security, and a paid-off house you would eventually sell to trade down. In 1991, a 65-year-old Canadian man could expect to live about 16 more years and a woman about 20. A plan built for that stretch did its job. Look at those legs today. Only 37.7 per cent of paid workers in Canada belonged to a workplace pension plan of any kind in 2023, according to Statistics Canada, and coverage has been declining for two decades. For most people, the cheque that used to arrive like the newspaper has been replaced by a statement that reads like a horoscope. CPP and OAS were never meant to carry anyone alone. That leaves the house. A 2023 CPP Investments survey found that only 45 per cent of Canadians have a financial plan for retirement, yet about three in four Canadians aged 55 to 74 own their homes. For millions of families, the house was the plan: buy it, pay it off, and burn the mortgage papers in a roasting pan. The old playbook still has one instruction for that asset, unchanged since 1990: sell, move, and hope the condo is cheaper. Most like to stay in their neighbourhood. In Toronto, they usually can't afford to. The calendar changed, too. My parents' plan was built for that 15-to-20-year stretch. Today, Canadian financial planning standards give a 65-year-old couple an even chance of one living to 94, a retirement closer to 30 years. That is about 10 extra years of groceries, property tax and dental work, and nobody gave the plan a raise to cover them. Larry Fink, who runs BlackRock, put his finger on it in his 2024 letter to investors: we have worked hard to help people live longer and much less hard to help them afford those extra years. Those years arrived just as the guaranteed pension cheque was disappearing, a change Fink called "a shift from financial certainty to financial uncertainty." When the man in charge of the world's largest pile of other people's money says so, I'd put down the mustard. Our system does a fine job of helping people pile up money, then goes quiet the moment they need that pile to become a paycheque. We hand people a savings target, a risk questionnaire and an RRSP deadline. On their last day of work, we hand them a bouquet. How much do you withdraw? Which account first? What happens to your OAS when your RRIF minimum pushes you past the clawback threshold? Where does the house fit? The old plan shrugs. The strain shows. Statistics Canada reports that among Canadians aged 65 to 74 who worked in 2022, almost half did so out of necessity. After a late-life divorce, my mother returned to part-time work at a grocery store. She had done everything the old plan asked of her. The usual reply is that people just need to save more. Telling a 72-year-old to save more is like telling a marathoner at kilometre 40 to train harder. An up-to-date plan opens with the question that matters at 65: how will this money cover the bills for 30 years? Home equity goes on the balance sheet at the first meeting, pulled from the drawer marked "emergencies and inheritance." Ninety-one per cent of Canadians say they want to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, so a good plan offers ways to do that beyond a For Sale sign. And the industry that spent 40 years teaching people to save owes them the same energy in how to spend it. I have a modest proposal for the banks. Every February, you run RRSP season, complete with sailboat commercials. Give us an RRIF season to match, with the same budget, and put a drawdown plan in front of every client who turns 65. And while you are at it, switch the word "savings" to "spending" or "paycheque" on our bank account. Take your retirement plan out of the back of the fridge and check the date on the lid. If it says 1990, you know where it goes. My wife will be happy to show you the garbage. This Opinion Article was published in the Business Section of the Saturday Star and online Toronto Star on October 17, 2026,
From Baseball to Business: The Science of Team Success
The ingredients that create a World Series team often mirrors how units achieve success in business. How did they get there? The University of Delaware's Kyle Emich says the answer goes beyond assembling a roster of star players. Emich, a professor of management, says that how players combine their strengths, respond to opponents and create opportunities together can be just as important as individual talent. The same is true in business, where a collection of talented employees doesn’t automatically translate into a high-performing team, he said. One example is the approach that the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers’ took during their postseason run. Rather than relying exclusively on home runs and individual star power, the team created opportunities through a combination of speed, patience at the plate, timely hitting and pressure on opposing defenses. A stolen base, a walk or a defensive mistake might seem like a small event on its own, but the effects can build as players’ actions interact. These interactions matter, he says, because teams are not simply collections of individuals; their performance emerges from how people and their activities affect one another within a larger environment. The same is true in business as well as baseball. Businesses may recruit exceptional employees or invest in promising technologies such as artificial intelligence, yet fail to realize their potential if their processes, team structures and working practices don’t support those strengths. Emich can discuss: • Beyond Moneyball: What baseball’s emphasis on statistics and individual talent reveals about the limits of evaluating people in isolation. • Building better teams: How coordination, complementary strengths and the interaction among team members contribute to performance. • Strategy and competition: What baseball teams’ adjustments to opponents can teach business leaders about responding to competitors and changing conditions. • Technology and the future of work: Why adopting artificial intelligence or other new technologies is not enough without considering how people, processes and technology work together. To reach Emich directly and arrange an interview, visit his profile page and click on the "contact" button. Interested reporters can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.
$787 a Month for a New Car? The Growing Cost of Getting Behind the Wheel
Buying a new car is becoming an increasingly expensive proposition for American consumers, with monthly loan payments now averaging a staggering $787. According to a recent DC News Now report, the average new-car loan is approaching $45,000, raising concerns about affordability, household debt and the long-term financial commitments consumers are making just to get behind the wheel. And the monthly loan payment is only part of the equation. Insurance premiums, maintenance, fuel and other ownership expenses can push the actual cost of driving considerably higher. For consumers already managing rising household expenses, the decision to purchase a vehicle has become increasingly complicated. Beyond the Sticker Price: What Consumers Need to Know Dr. Kashef Majid, Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Mary Washington, has studied how consumers value hybrid and electric vehicles, including the financial and environmental motivations behind purchasing decisions. He was also named one of the 50 Best Undergraduate Business Professors of 2024 by Poets & Quants. View his profile Majid has also shared his expertise with WalletHub, offering first-pen perspective on car insurance costs, pricing fairness and the importance of making informed decisions when shopping for coverage. His insights are particularly relevant as Americans face record-high car payments, with insurance premiums adding another significant expense to the overall cost of vehicle ownership. As consumers grapple with rising costs, Majid can help explain what's driving vehicle affordability challenges, how purchasing decisions are changing and what motorists should consider before taking on substantial financial commitments. If you're interested in speaking with Dr. Kashef Majid about rising car payments, vehicle affordability, insurance costs and consumer behavior, simply click on his profile below to arrange an interview today.
Inflation and Interest Rates Put Household Budgets and Business Plans Under Pressure
For American families, inflation is felt in everyday decisions: what to buy at the grocery store, how much to spend on gas and whether a major purchase can wait. This week’s Consumer Price Index report will bring those pressures into focus as the Federal Reserve considers its next interest-rate decision. Some officials have signaled that another increase could wait until December, but stronger inflation data could strengthen the case for action at the October 27–28 meeting. The stakes extend beyond the price of everyday necessities. Higher interest rates can make credit card balances and new auto loans more expensive, adding pressure to households already managing rising living costs. Homebuyers also face difficult affordability decisions, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reaching 7.40% last week. Mortgage rates respond to bond markets and inflation expectations as well as monetary policy, meaning uncertainty can affect buyers even before the Fed acts. Businesses face a similar calculation. When financing becomes more expensive, purchasing equipment, expanding operations or hiring additional employees can become harder to justify. Rising operating costs can also force companies to choose between raising prices and accepting smaller profit margins. For policymakers, the challenge is to bring inflation under control while preserving employment and economic growth. This week’s report will offer another signal about that balance—and help shape the financial decisions families and businesses make in the months ahead.
Slowing Job Growth Raises Questions About the Economy’s Momentum
The U.S. economy added just 29,000 jobs in September, while unemployment edged up to 4.2%, raising concerns about the strength of the labor market. Downward revisions to July and August’s employment figures further weakened the picture, suggesting hiring had been less robust than previously reported. For workers seeking their first job or a new opportunity, the slowdown adds uncertainty to an already challenging economic environment. The report also complicates the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate decision. Weaker hiring reduced expectations for another rate increase this month, as policymakers weigh inflation concerns against the risk of slowing the economy further. Higher borrowing costs can make business expansion more expensive and discourage spending on homes, vehicles and other major purchases. A softer labor market gives the Fed another reason to consider how much financial pressure households and employers can absorb. September’s figures do not establish that a recession is underway: unemployment has remained between 4.1% and 4.3% since March, and employers are still adding jobs. Nevertheless, the report raises a broader question about whether the economy can sustain growth while hiring remains subdued. The coming months will help reveal whether September represented a temporary slowdown or a more persistent loss of momentum—with consequences for household confidence, business investment and monetary policy.
Women Mean Business: Why Supporting Female Entrepreneurs Strengthens Communities.
Every October, National Women's Small Business Month invites us to recognize the women who are building, hiring, mentoring and strengthening their communities through their businesses. As a proud Augusta University alumna and now a senior lecturer at the James M. Hull College of Business, where I teach entrepreneurship, human resource management and leadership ethics, I have the privilege of watching students begin to imagine businesses of their own. Through the Women's Leadership Academy, which I facilitate, I also see how much potential is unlocked when young women are given mentors, self-awareness tools and real opportunities to lead. Also, as an entrepreneur and leader, I have learned that when women build businesses, they rarely build only a company. They build connection. Stacy Roberts, DBA, is a Lecturer of Management at the Hull College of Business. She teaches courses related to salesmanship and sales marketing, principles of management, organizational behavior and human resources. View her profile Women business owners often create opportunities close to home. They hire neighbors, mentor younger professionals, sponsor youth programs and invest in the places where they feel connected. They truly leave a mark, and that impact does not come easily. Many women entrepreneurs are navigating limited access to capital, smaller professional networks and the challenge of wearing every hat in the business while also carrying responsibilities at home. Yet those same pressures often produce leaders who are resourceful, adaptable and deeply committed to the people they serve. They truly deserved to be valued and supported. So how can our community get involved this month and beyond? Buy with intention. Choose women-owned businesses for gifts, services, catering and professional needs. Every purchase matters. Share and refer. Sponsor women by telling others about them. Leave a review, recommend a business to a colleague or share a post. Visibility is one of the most valuable things a small business can receive. Open the door. Organizations can include women owned businesses in vendor lists and procurement opportunities. Access is a game changer. Mentor and be mentored. Experienced leaders can offer guidance and emerging entrepreneurs can seek it out. No one builds alone. Invest in the next generation. Students and others interested in entrepreneurship should explore coursework, leadership programs, and local small business resources. The ideas forming in classrooms and networks today will become the businesses that anchor our communities tomorrow. To any woman considering starting a business, remember this. Get clear on your values before you get busy. Build a circle of people who will tell you the truth. Please know your numbers and remember that rest is not a reward for finishing the work. It is part of what allows you to keep doing it.
Ahead of the busy winter travel season, CAA Travel Insurance, a product of Orion Travel Insurance, is introducing several important coverage enhancements to provide broader protection, clearer benefits, and more support when travel plans are disrupted. Key coverage enhancements include: • Emergency medical coverage increased from $5 million to $10 million. • Expanded coverage for climate events and extreme weather. • A new CAA Flight Delay Benefit, to provide cash or lounge passes to travellers delayed two or more hours. • Broader Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage for major travel disruptions and unexpected personal circumstances. These updates reflect the changing travel realities that Canadians continue to navigate, including the rising costs of medical care. “Today’s travellers face a broad range of risks, from flight disruptions and extreme weather to unexpected medical emergencies and events at home,” says Elliott Silverstein, director, government relations, insurance, CAA South Central Ontario. “These updates deliver clearer benefits, broader protection and new forms of support to travellers when plans change unexpectedly.” The increase in emergency medical coverage reflects the continually rising cost of medical care while travelling abroad. Costs associated with everything from routine treatment to emergency transportation and air ambulance services have increased approximately 14 to 15 per cent annually since 2019. CAA’s expanded climate-related coverage introduces explicit policy language that clearly explains what coverage is available if a natural disaster impacts your destination accommodation, or if weather-related property damage at home disrupts your travel plans. In addition, eligible trip cancellation policies now include a new Flight Delay Benefit, providing an automatic benefit if your flight is delayed. Unlike a traditional expense-based reimbursement process, insured travellers will automatically receive a benefit when their insured flight is delayed by two or more hours, in the form of immediate payment or a lounge pass. CAA’s new Major Travel Disruption coverage addresses eligible flight cancellations or unannounced strikes, which are increasingly impacting travellers. New travel document protection covers stolen documents before departure, as well as documents that are lost or stolen at a destination. Other new covered situations include a stolen private vehicle, possible damage to a home or business, and additional occupancy costs when a travel companion interrupts their trip and the insured traveller continues as planned. “These updates are part of the ongoing optimization of CAA Travel Insurance coverage; intended to provide clearer benefits, broader protection and more support when travel plans change,” says Silverstein. “Travel insurance is not only about responding to major emergencies, it can also provide practical support during the more common situations travellers may experience while they are away from home.” CAA encourages travellers to review their policy, including its eligibility requirements, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions, before departure. For more information about CAA Travel Insurance and coverage updates, visit: www.caasco.com/travelinsurance
Ahead of the busy winter travel season, CAA Travel Insurance, a product of Orion Travel Insurance, is introducing several important coverage enhancements to provide broader protection, clearer benefits, and more support when travel plans are disrupted. Key coverage enhancements include: • Emergency medical coverage increased from $5 million to $10 million. • Expanded coverage for climate events and extreme weather. • A new CAA Flight Delay Benefit, to provide cash or lounge passes to travellers delayed two or more hours. • Broader Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage for major travel disruptions and unexpected personal circumstances. These updates reflect the changing travel realities that Canadians continue to navigate, including the rising costs of medical care. “Today’s travellers face a broad range of risks, from flight disruptions and extreme weather to unexpected medical emergencies and events at home,” says Elliott Silverstein, director, government relations, insurance, CAA South Central Ontario. “These updates deliver clearer benefits, broader protection and new forms of support to travellers when plans change unexpectedly.” The increase in emergency medical coverage reflects the continually rising cost of medical care while travelling abroad. Costs associated with everything from routine treatment to emergency transportation and air ambulance services have increased approximately 14 to 15 per cent annually since 2019. CAA’s expanded climate-related coverage introduces explicit policy language that clearly explains what coverage is available if a natural disaster impacts your destination accommodation, or if weather-related property damage at home disrupts your travel plans. In addition, eligible trip cancellation policies now include a new Flight Delay Benefit, providing an automatic benefit if your flight is delayed. Unlike a traditional expense-based reimbursement process, insured travellers will automatically receive a benefit when their insured flight is delayed by two or more hours, in the form of immediate payment or a lounge pass. CAA’s new Major Travel Disruption coverage addresses eligible flight cancellations or unannounced strikes, which are increasingly impacting travellers. New travel document protection covers stolen documents before departure, as well as documents that are lost or stolen at a destination. Other new covered situations include a stolen private vehicle, possible damage to a home or business, and additional occupancy costs when a travel companion interrupts their trip and the insured traveller continues as planned. “These updates are part of the ongoing optimization of CAA Travel Insurance coverage; intended to provide clearer benefits, broader protection and more support when travel plans change,” says Silverstein. “Travel insurance is not only about responding to major emergencies, it can also provide practical support during the more common situations travellers may experience while they are away from home.” CAA encourages travellers to review their policy, including its eligibility requirements, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions, before departure. For more information about CAA Travel Insurance and coverage updates, visit: www.caasco.com/travelinsurance