Trading with the EU

The European Union (EU) is a unique partnership of 28 member states, recognised as one of the world’s largest economies and a key player in global politics.

Home to 7 per cent of the world’s population, the EU’s trade with the rest of the world accounts for approximately 20 per cent of global exports and imports. The Union’s internal market provides for the free movement of goods, capital, services and people between members. Through the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), neighbouring non-EU countries have close access to the internal market and a range of bilateral agreements make global trade easier for Union members.

Britain is the EU’s second-largest economy and the Union is an important trade partner for the UK: British exports to other EU countries reached £150.3 million in 2013.

Download our trading with the EU fact sheet here.