International trade is an increasingly important component of the European economy. Since its early foundations were laid by the European Coal & Steel Community (ECSC) founded in 1951, trade between European member states has been at the core of the European project. International trade, that is, trade which the European Union does externally with countries who are not member states, has become a greater focus of the bloc in recent years, as the EU attempts to increase the global reach of its companies, while reaping the benefits of cheaper imports. The EU has put particular importance on reaching trade agreements with partners outside the union, as this removes trade barriers such as tariffs, quotas, as well as non-tariff barriers (such as regulations, licenses, and sanctions) which hamper trade activity. EU Trade Deals Recent trade agreements include the Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement with Canada (while not ratified by the member states' parliaments, it had been effectively in force since 2017) and the Japan-EU Economic partnership agreement, in force since 2019. The most significant regions which the EU has not concluded free trade agreements with are the United States, Russia, and China. The Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the U.S. and EU broke down at the negotiation stage, with powerful economic & political actors on the European side, such as trade unions, opposing the deal from the beginning, while the election of Donald Trump as President of the U.S. effectively ended any hopes of the deal being completed due to his "America First" trade policies. With the increasing geopolitical and economic competition between the U.S. and China, the EU now finds itself caught between the two superpowers, and is unlikely to be able to conclude a trade agreement with either without antagonizing the other country. EU trade with Russia, on the other hand, has broken down in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent sanctions imposed by the European member states.

The export trade of the European Union experienced some notable shifts over the two decades since 2002, with China emerging as a significant export market and the United Kingdom losing its place as the EU's single largest export partner. The United Kingdom's declining share of EU exports The UK, which was a member of the European Union until 2020, declined in its importance as an export market for EU producers over this period. Representing over a fifth of the export trade in 2002, the UK now takes only 13 percent of EU exports, and looks likely to be eclipsed by China's growing share in the coming years. The complications to EU-UK trade caused by the UK's exit agreement with the EU is also likely to contribute to slowing trade flows between the two partners. China's emergence as a key export market As with most other areas of the global economy, the past two decades has largely been the story of China's emergence as a key trading partner. China's share of EU exports was comparable to Japan or Norway at the beginning of the period, while it now represents the EU's third largest export market. While this is a significant change, China takes up a much larger share of imports into the EU, where it is the largest single trading partner. As Chinese incomes rise in the coming decades, the significance of China as an export market for EU producers is likely to rise, geopolitical tension notwithstanding. The Euro and exports to the U.S. The EU's export trade with the United States over this period experienced a relative decline in the period running up to 2014, as the Euro appreciated in its value against the U.S. dollar, making European exports more expensive for Americans. This declining share of the EU's export trade taken by the U.S. was reversed in the latter half of the 2010s however, as the Euro depreciated and European exports to the U.S. increased. Issues with Russia Another notable trend over the period was Russia's emergence as a key export market in the mid-2000s, as the Russian economy grew quickly and Russian consumers began to demand EU made products. Russia declined as a market for EU exports after 2014, as trade was complicated by Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, and the subsequent devaluation of the Ruble and collapse in the price of Ural crude oil.

China recorded a trade surplus of 114.77 USD Billion in June of 2025. This dataset provides - China Balance of Trade - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The United States recorded a trade deficit of 71.52 USD Billion in May of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

China's total Exports in 2024 were valued at US$3.58 Trillion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. China's main export partners were: the United States, Hong Kong and Vietnam. The top three export commodities were: Electrical, electronic equipment; Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Imports were valued at US$2.59 Trillion. In 2024, China had a trade surplus of US$991.41 Billion.

In 2024, China exported approximately 3.58 trillion U.S. dollars worth of goods. This indicated an increase in export value of about 5.9 percent compared to the previous year. Export of goods from ChinaChina’s exports have been growing steadily over the past decade, with the exception of 2009 when financial crisis and global economic downturn slowed down global trade and 2016 witnessing another decrease in global demand. Apart from being the most populous country, China has also become the largest manufacturing economy and the largest exporter in the world. ASEAN, European Union, and United States were China's leading export partners in 2023. Machinery such as computers, broadcasting technology, and telephones as well as transport equipment make up the largest part of Chinese exports. This category amounted to approximately 1.65 trillion U.S. dollars in export value in 2023. When it comes to primary goods, food and live animals used for food are the main export products.

Globally, China and Turkey were the two main suppliers of textile for the European Union (EU) in 2018. The EU imported textile products worth of 10.5 million euros from China, whereas Turkey’s textile export to the EU was worth 4.8 million euros that year. For China, textiles are the second main goods category that the country exports to the rest of the world.

China’s global lead in textile

China’s status as a leading textile importer is not limited to the bounds of the EU. Having exported 119 billion U.S. dollars worth of textile globally, China now stands at the very top, ahead of the EU, India and the United States. In the past decade, there has been a notable increase in China’s share of the global export of textiles and currently China provides 40 percent of global textile exports.

EU textile production and export

The EU itself is another important textile supplier, with the value of textile products exported from EU28 countries amounting to 74 billion U.S. dollars. The manufacture of textiles in the EU is an industry where businesses show increasing turnover year-over-year, textile and clothing being the two main sectors.

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Foreign Exchange Market Size 2025-2029

The foreign exchange market size is forecast to increase by USD 582 billion, at a CAGR of 10.6% between 2024 and 2029.

The Foreign Exchange Market is segmented by type (reporting dealers, financial institutions, non-financial customers), trade finance instruments (currency swaps, outright forward and FX swaps, FX options), trading platforms (electronic trading, over-the-counter (OTC), mobile trading), and geography (North America: US, Canada; Europe: Germany, Switzerland, UK; Middle East and Africa: UAE; APAC: China, India, Japan; South America: Brazil; Rest of World). This segmentation reflects the market's global dynamics, driven by institutional trading, increasing digital adoption through electronic trading and mobile trading, and regional economic activities, with APAC markets like India and China showing significant growth alongside traditional hubs like the US and UK.
The market is experiencing significant shifts driven by the escalating trends of urbanization and digitalization. These forces are creating 24x7 trading opportunities, enabling greater accessibility and convenience for market participants. However, the market's dynamics are not without challenges. The uncertainty of future exchange rates poses a formidable obstacle for businesses and investors alike, necessitating robust risk management strategies. As urbanization continues to expand and digital technologies reshape the trading landscape, market players must adapt to remain competitive. One significant trend is the increasing use of money transfer agencies, venture capital investments, and mutual funds in foreign exchange transactions. Companies seeking to capitalize on these opportunities must navigate the challenges effectively, ensuring they stay abreast of exchange rate fluctuations and implement agile strategies to mitigate risk.
The ability to adapt and respond to these market shifts will be crucial for success in the evolving market.

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In the dynamic and intricate realm of the market, entities such as algorithmic trading, order book, order management systems, and liquidity risk intertwine, shaping the ever-evolving market landscape. The market's continuous unfolding is characterized by the integration of various components, including sentiment analysis, Fibonacci retracement, mobile trading, and good-for-the-day orders. Market activities are influenced by factors like political stability, monetary policy, and market liquidity, which in turn impact economic growth and trade settlement. Technical analysis, with its focus on chart patterns and moving averages, plays a crucial role in informing trading decisions. The market's complexity is further amplified by the presence of entities like credit risk, counterparty risk, and operational risk.

Central bank intervention, order execution, clearing and settlement, and trade confirmation are essential components of the market's infrastructure, ensuring a seamless exchange of currencies. Geopolitical risk, currency correlation, and inflation rates contribute to currency volatility, necessitating hedging strategies and risk management. Market risk, interest rate differentials, and commodity currencies influence trading strategies, while cross-border payments and brokerage services facilitate international trade. The ongoing evolution of the market is marked by the emergence of advanced trading platforms, automated trading, and real-time data feeds, enabling traders to make informed decisions in an increasingly interconnected and complex global economy.

How is this Foreign Exchange Industry segmented?

The foreign exchange industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Reporting dealers
  Financial institutions
  Non-financial customers


Trade Finance Instruments

  Currency swaps
  Outright forward and FX swaps
  FX options


Trading Platforms

  Electronic Trading
  Over-the-Counter (OTC)
  Mobile Trading


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    Germany
    Switzerland
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The reporting dealers segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market is a dynamic and complex ecosystem where various entities interplay to manage currency risks and facilitate international trade. Reporting dealers, as key participants,

As of 2024, the United States had a trade deficit of about *** billion U.S. dollars. The U.S. trade deficit has increased since 2009, peaking in 2022. Most recently, 2023 marked the year when the U.S. trade deficit decreased from the previous year. What is trade deficit? A trade deficit is, quite simply, the total value of a country’s imports of goods and services minus the total value of its exports of goods and services. When a country exports more than it imports, it has a trade surplus, and when it imports more than it exports, it has a trade deficit. A trade deficit can mean one of two things: Either the country is failing to produce enough goods for its citizens, or its citizens are wealthy enough to purchase more goods than the country produces (as is the case with the United States). Trading partners The United States’ top export partners are its closest neighbors, Canada and Mexico, due in part to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which, pending ratification, will be replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Regarding imports to the U.S., China takes the top spot, followed by Mexico and Canada.

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Stockbroking Market Size 2025-2029

The stockbroking market size is forecast to increase by USD 27.45 billion at a CAGR of 10.1% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is characterized by the increasing need for real-time investment monitoring and surveillance, driven by heightened market volatility and investor demand for transparency. This trend is further fueled by advancements in technology, enabling brokerages to offer more sophisticated trading platforms and tools. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms into trading platforms has led to cloud-based solutions, enabling active and passive portfolio management. However, the market faces significant challenges, primarily due to the ongoing trade war and its associated economic uncertainties. The escalating tensions have led to increased market volatility and investor risk aversion, potentially dampening trading volumes and investor confidence.
As a result, stockbrokers must adapt to these market dynamics by offering innovative solutions that mitigate risk and provide value-added services to attract and retain clients. To capitalize on opportunities and navigate challenges effectively, companies should focus on enhancing their technology offerings, expanding their geographical reach, and developing strategic partnerships to stay competitive in this dynamic market. Additionally, users of online trading platforms can easily monitor the performance of their assets thanks to real-time stock data. 

What will be the Size of the Stockbroking Market during the forecast period?

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In the dynamic market, order routing optimization plays a crucial role in maximizing execution efficiency. Business continuity planning is essential to ensure uninterrupted services during crises. Financial statement analysis and performance attribution models help assess investment strategy implementation and identify areas for improvement. Data visualization tools facilitate effective operational risk management by providing insights into trading algorithms' performance. Backtesting methodologies and execution quality metrics are integral to refining quantitative trading models and derivatives pricing models. Futures trading strategies and disaster recovery planning are essential components of risk appetite modeling, enabling firms to manage volatility and mitigate potential losses. The stockbroking industry is essential for the smooth functioning of financial analytics.

Trade blotter reconciliation and client communication channels are vital for maintaining transparency and trust in client relationships. Portfolio construction strategies, financial reporting standards, and investment strategy implementation require a deep understanding of various regulatory requirements, including anti-money laundering (AML) and regulatory technology solutions. Algorithmic trading performance and account opening procedures are subject to continuous monitoring and optimization. Information security management and tax reporting compliance are essential aspects of maintaining a robust and compliant stockbroking business. Options trading strategies and transaction cost reduction are critical elements of a well-rounded investment offering.

How is this Stockbroking Industry segmented?

The stockbroking industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Mode Of Booking

  Offline
  Online


Type

  Long term trading
  Short term trading


End-user

  Institutional investor
  Retail investor


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada
    Mexico


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    UK


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Mode Of Booking Insights

The Offline segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Offline stockbroking is the traditional method of engaging in stock trading activities without the use of online platforms or electronic systems. Investors work with stockbrokers who act as an intermediary between them and the stock exchange. Offline stockbroking includes: Communication: Investors place their buy or sell orders through direct communication via calls, emails, or in person with their stockbrokers. Offline is still dominating the market due to the ease of use due to factors such as personalized services, extensive research, complex investment strategies, trust, and relationship building by the investors over time, also in the offline segment they can access initial public offerings or other restricted offerings which may not be readily available on an online brokera

In 2024, the European Union countries imported approximately **** percent of the Chinese export volume. In that year, ASEAN was the largest Chinese merchandise importer. Distribution of Chinese exports In 2024, China exported goods with a total value of around **** trillion yuan and imported goods with a value of **** trillion yuan. That year, China ranked second among the countries with the largest gross domestic product, following the United States.China’s economic prosperity has been closely related to its status as the world’s factory. For about a decade between 2005 and 2015, exports contributed more than ** percent to China’s gross domestic product. However, the share of exports to GDP contribution is currently on the decline. Nonetheless, China maintains a trade surplus of about *** billion U.S. dollars and remains first among countries with the highest trade surplus worldwide as of 2023. While China displays high growth potential for service exports such as tourism, transportation, banking and financial services, as well as insurance and education services, the main focus of China’s export industry remains merchandise. In 2022, Chinese merchandise exports made up **** percent of all global exports, whereas service based exports contributed only *** percent.In terms of most exported merchandise categories, food and live animals used for food were the main primary goods. Among the manufactured goods, automatic data processing machines, integrated circuits, clothing, textiles, and smartphones were the categories with the highest export value in China in 2024.

Russia's leading five export partners in 2023 were China, India, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Brazil. The value of total exports from Russia to its major trade partner — China — exceeded *** billion U.S. dollars. Trade between Russia and China China was not only the leading export destination of Russian commodities, but also the major import partner of the country. Prior to 2018, the value of Russian imports from China prevailed the Russian exports’ worth to the country. It was in 2018 when for the first time, the trade balance of Russia with China turned positive and amounted to about *** billion U.S. dollars. Russia's primary export goods, mineral and energy products, were also the most imported commodities by China from the country. Russian trade with Europe Trade flows between Russia and the EU have been in decline over the past years. In 2023, the EU export value to Russia exceeded ** billion U.S. dollars — roughly ** billion U.S. dollars below the EU imports’ worth from Russia in that year. Germany was the major importer of Russian goods in the region.

In 2024, 12.5 percent of goods imports into the United Kingdom came from Germany, making it the main import partner that year. Imports from the United States accounted for ten percent of UK goods imports, making America the UK's second main import partner, followed by China on 9.8 percent. As of this year, the overall import value of cars to the UK was approximately 38.4 billion British pounds, the most of any commodity in 2024. Europe remains UK's main trading partner Several years after the Brexit vote, and the eventual departure from the European Union, European countries account for most of the UK's trade. As of 2024, approximately 50.8 percent of the UK's exports went to Europe, with 60.1 percent of imports coming from there, the vast majority of which were in the European Single Market. After Europe, American countries were the UK's main destination for exports, at around 19.2 percent, while countries in the Asia Pacific region were the second-main source for imports, at 19.1 percent in 2024. UK attitudes to Brexit in 2025 Since the UK left the EU in 2020, there has been a gradual but consistent increase in the share of people who believe Brexit to have been a mistake. As of January 2025, when asked if they thought it was right or wrong to leave the EU, approximately 55 percent thought it was the wrong decision, compared with 30 percent who thought it was the correct choice. In addition to this, a majority of Britons thought that the impacts of leaving the EU had been mainly negative. Regarding international trade, 57 percent believed that Brexit had been detrimental, compared with just 11 percent who thought it had a positive impact.

In 2022, China accounted for **** percent of the global clothing export value, representing a decrease from **** percent in 2021. China remained the world's largest apparel exporting country that year. The world’s factory China was considered the world’s factory for decades, especially for the production of machinery and industrial products. Each year, over ************** U.S. dollars worth of goods were shipped from China to the rest of the world. As the world’s largest merchandise exporter, China accounted for ***** percent of global goods exports in 2022. Furthermore, China was the origin of more than ** percent of the world’s apparel exports, more than all 28 EU counties combined. China’s apparel export industry benefited from its cheap labor costs and the lowering of the trade barrier. However, China’s apparel exports faced many uncertainties in recent years, resulting from increasing production costs and fierce global competition. Amid the pandemic The outbreak of coronavirus brought negative effects to China’s apparel exports in 2020. The international demand of clothing plunged due to the ongoing lockdown. In 2020, China’s export value of garments and accessories was worth ***** billion U.S. dollars, representing an *** percent loss compared to the previous year.

The European Union (EU-27) exported **** million metric tons of plastic waste to non-EU countries in 2023, up from **** million tons a year earlier. Plastic waste exports from the EU peaked in 2014, at **** million metric tons. China was once the largest market for plastic waste exports from the EU, importing as much as **** million metric tons worth in 2015. However, the country's ban on plastic waste introduced in 2018 saw exports plummet to just **** thousand metric tons that year. Turkey is now the main destination for EU waste exports.

The statistic shows a ranking of the top 20 import countries worldwide in 2023. In 2023, the U.S. was the leading import country in the world with an import value of about **** trillion U.S. dollars. Import and export worldwide Import and export are generally important pillars of a country’s economy. The trade balance of a country shows the relationship between the values of a country’s imports and exports. If the balance is positive, i.e. if the value of exports is higher than that of imports, it is called a trade surplus. If it is negative and import values exceed export values, it represents a trade deficit. Worldwide trade is regulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO). It provides a framework for trade agreements and helps in resolving disputes. Since its foundation in 1995, more than 150 countries have become members of the WTO and obligated themselves to follow its regulations. The worldwide export volume in trade since 1950 has tripled, and a similar development can be observed in the worldwide import trade volume since 1950. Europe is leading the ranking regarding the value of worldwide export volume of trade by region, but the value of goods exported by Asia is almost up to par. Both continents are also the top destination regions of inter-regional trade worldwide. The United States, China, and Germany are the leading import countries worldwide, and also the leading export countries worldwide, albeit in a different order. The top traded goods and commodities are oil and fuel, electronic equipment, and machinery. The volume of commodities traded worldwide has increased dramatically over the past few years.

The United States had a market share of over 40 percent in international arms exports between 2020 and 2024. The second-largest suppliers of major weapons worldwide were France and Russia, accounting for 10 and eight percent of exports over the observed period, respectively. The United States, Russia, and France contributed 60 percent of major weapons exports between 2020 and 2024. Leading military spending countries Three decades after the end of the Cold War and the fall of the USSR, the United States is, by far, the largest defense spender in the world, even though the U.S. defense outlays have decreased since the peak of the Iraq and Afghan wars. However, China has increased military spending in the past decade, becoming the second-largest spender in the world, signaling a possible shift in the global balance of military power, and several European NATO members have increased military spending significantly after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. Leading military importers Meanwhile, the market share of imports shows India and Saudi Arabia are the largest buyers. Saudi Arabia also spends the third most on its military as a percentage of gross domestic product, with Ukraine first.