Japan’s economy has shown strength and growth so far this year, but the unpredictability of the brewing trade war and the broad-sweeping implications of tariffs from a major trade ally could slow the nation’s growth.

It’s no secret that companies across industries are grappling with the ripple effects of shifting supply chains, severe weather events, rising costs and mounting tariffs. This economic volatility can significantly impact businesses by creating unpredictability in customer behavior, supply chains and financial planning. 

Commercial Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings increased 20% year-over-year in March 2025. “The 20% rise in commercial Chapter 11 filings to 733, up from 611 last year, signals persistent economic pressure, mirrored by a 10% increase in total commercial filings to 2,727,” said Michael Hunter, Vice President of Epiq AACER.

Credit managers are facing new challenges, as economic uncertainty, material shortages and the ever-looming threat of tariffs have stifled customers’ buying power, making it more difficult to predict and mitigate risk. With unpredictability in the market, it can be difficult for credit managers to fully gauge the degree of risk incurred with each transaction. 

The certification program is a valuable resource for credit managers worldwide. Sankar Nair, CICP, senior credit analyst at Daikin Middle East and Africa FZE (Abu Dhabi, UAE) sought his Certified International Credit Professional (CICP) designation to deepen his expertise in credit and trade finance.

Earning a designation through one of NACM and FCIB’s Professional Certification Programs takes perseverance and dedication. It allows professionals to commit to deepening their understanding of business credit and best practices. For Vimal Patel, CCE, director of credit at OneSource Distributers (Oceanside, CA), earning his Certified Credit Executive (CCE) designation was an opportunity to challenge himself to learn more about the credit profession and refine his skills. 

Despite its improvements, Saudi Arabia’s economy still struggles—hindered by oil dependency, high youth unemployment, fiscal sustainability challenges and fluctuating oil revenues. However, itseconomic reform plans, particularly Vision 2030, have improved the quality of life for their citizens and residents by expanding opportunities for growth, fostering greater global integration and enhancing governmental efficiency.

In business-to-business (B2B) credit management, the sheer volume of data—from financials and payment histories to market trends—can overwhelm teams. Data automation and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can transform these tasks, rapidly processing and analyzing critical information. By cutting down manual work, these tools enable faster, more accurate credit decisions while minimizing risk, making credit management smarter and more efficient. 

President Trump’s trade war is officially on. However, in an extraordinary reversal just hours after they were set to go into effect, the President delayed the implementation of extremely harsh reciprocal tariffs on over 60 countries. That leaves in place the April 4th 10% across-the-board tariffs but gives the world time to breathe and react.