During this week, America's economic and political spotlight rests on small businesses. President Donald Trump's official proclamation to commemorate National Small Business Week 2025 spared no praise: "Entrepreneurship is the foundation of a free and prosperous Nation," he said. But beyond the speeches, the agenda of activities, the figures and the tone of the declaration reveal a profound redesign of how the government is positioning small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the center of the economic model.

The proclamation signed on May 5 by President Trump does not merely celebrate entrepreneurship. It also denounces what it sees as years of neglect: uncontrolled inflation, stifling regulations and a global trade architecture that, according to the president, harms U.S. businesses.

“We are putting American people first and delivering long-overdue relief for our workers and entrepreneurs,” says the document, which advocates trade tariffs and the elimination of regulations as tools to strengthen the local economy.

The proclamation even mentions "Liberation Day," referring to the time when tariffs aimed at protecting small businesses from unfair trade practices were implemented.

Trump's message, as usual, is highly revanchist and politically charged. However, the numbers are compelling and show that the United States has managed to build a very strong small and medium-sized business sector over the year: 33 million small businesses in the U.S. generate nearly two out of every three new jobs in the country and employ 46% of the private workforce. In the government's own words, they are "the engine of the economy from the bottom up".

National Small Business Week is not just a symbolic commemoration: it serves to show how small entrepreneurs have developed great commercial and industrial capabilities. According to the SBA (Small Business Administration), entrepreneurs have withstood a difficult period marked by pandemics, strikes, price hikes and international competition.

The recipe for 2025

The official agenda of webinars organized by the SBA for this week reflects the priorities of the new approach. Under titles such as "Make AI Work for You", "Mobile Workforce Security" or "Expanding Your Business Through E-Commerce", the message is clear: SMEs must adapt to a digital, mobile and competitive environment.

The event is supported by big names such as Google, Amazon, Visa, Verizon, T-Mobile and U.S. Bank. Those companies co-sponsor virtual workshops on IT security, artificial intelligence, payment methods and access to capital.

One particularly eye-catching panel was led by the SBA's Office of Advocacy under the title, "How to Cut Over $100 Billion in Regulations and Unleash Prosperity," a clear reference to the government's pro-deregulation reforms.

The virtual platform also offers interactive rooms such as the Mentoring Room, Exhibit Hall and Inspiration Hall, where small business success stories are shared. The emphasis is on showing that the American dream is still possible, especially for those who take risks, innovate and work from their communities.

What about Latinos?

Although the proclamation does not specifically mention Latino entrepreneurs, Census and SBA figures indicate that Hispanic-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment in the country. With nearly 5 million Latino-led businesses, the potential of this group is key to the national economy.

This type of week offers not only technical resources, but also visibility and connection. In an environment of profound transformations, the Latino community has the opportunity to position itself as a player in the new model of local and digital production.

National Small Business Week 2025 not only pays homage to the entrepreneurial spirit, but redefines the role of SMEs in the country's economic policy. In a context of global tensions and promises of industrial renaissance, small business becomes a symbol of identity, resilience and hope.