A recent survey commissioned by the Confederation of Finnish Employers indicates that 50% of Finnish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) feel that the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump have an impact on their business operations. The survey identified three main areas of concern: trade policies and tariffs affecting the export sector, the evolving relationship between the United States and Europe affecting overall business conditions, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, which also has implications for Finnish businesses. According to Mikael Pentikäinen, the CEO of the Confederation of Finnish Employers, the current circumstances represent an unprecedented level of influence that a U.S. president has had on Finnish SMEs.

The survey results reveal a significant political divide regarding the perceived impacts of Trump's policies. Among supporters of the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus), worries regarding negative effects are notably higher when compared to those expressing support for the Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset), who perceive fewer adverse impacts. Pentikäinen attributes this difference largely to the size of the companies; larger firms typically engage in exports and are more inclined to support the National Coalition Party, which aligns with the predominant concern among their ranks about international trade pressures.

This growing apprehension among Finnish entrepreneurs could have wider implications for economic trends and political alignment moving forward, as SMEs are crucial to Finland's economy and their responsiveness to international policy shifts indicates potential vulnerabilities within the domestic market. Pentikäinen urges a closer analysis of how these geopolitical developments will continue to affect Finnish businesses and calls for support to mitigate adverse impacts.