Australian businesses lead global confidence as U.S. appeal slips

By AI, Created 11:45 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – A new global study finds Australian companies among the most confident about expanding abroad, while the United States is becoming a less attractive destination for international business. The report points to diversification, digitalization and trade agreements as the key forces reshaping where companies grow next.

Why it matters: - Australian firms appear better positioned than many peers to grow across borders as companies adjust to a more fragmented global trade landscape. - The shift in sentiment toward the United States could affect where global capital, partnerships and expansion plans flow next. - The report suggests adaptability, diversification and digital tools are becoming core competitive advantages for international business.

What happened: - Gedeth Research Center released a global study titled “Resilience in a Fragmented World: How Companies Are Adapting to the New Geopolitics of Trade.” - The report was produced with DHL Express and Universidade Europeia. - The study draws on insights from more than 50,000 professionals across 84 countries. - Nearly half of respondents, 48.7%, expect business growth in 2026. - The report says Australian businesses are among the most optimistic globally about expanding internationally. - The study says the United States is increasingly viewed as a less attractive destination for global business.

The details: - Australian business confidence is tied to diversification, digitalization and new trade opportunities. - Companies worldwide are prioritizing international market diversification, cited by 33.7% of respondents. - More than 56% of respondents pointed to artificial intelligence and digitalization as key opportunities for 2026. - The report links Australia’s outlook to broader Asia-Pacific behavior, where companies are using free trade agreements and new markets to support growth. - North America ranks well behind Europe in strategic appeal, with only around 22% of respondents naming it a priority region. - The report attributes the weaker U.S. appeal to recent trade and industrial policies that have increased uncertainty and restricted market access for international companies. - Europe is described as the most attractive region globally because of market integration, scale and its network of trade agreements.

Between the lines: - The findings point to a global reordering in trade strategy, with companies favoring openness, flexibility and multi-market exposure over single-market dependence. - Australia’s relative optimism suggests firms there may be adapting faster to geopolitical pressure than peers in more protected or less diversified markets. - The U.S. decline in appeal does not signal a retreat from global commerce, but it does suggest some international firms now see other regions as easier places to expand. - “Companies are not retreating from globalization—they are redefining how they engage with it,” said Juan Millán, CEO of Gedeth Network.

What’s next: - Companies are likely to keep leaning into diversification, digital transformation and regional trade networks as uncertainty persists. - The report suggests firms that can move quickly across markets and adopt new technology will be better placed to capture growth in 2026. - The balance of global trade appeal may continue shifting if U.S. policy remains a source of uncertainty and Europe and Asia-Pacific keep widening their trade advantages.

The bottom line: - Australia is emerging as a confidence leader in global trade, while the U.S. is losing some of its pull as companies redraw their expansion maps.