The European Union has experienced a shift in its biggest trade partners since the early 2000s. Over the past two decades, the share of EU imports flowing from China has more than doubled, from around 8 percent in 2002 to over 20 percent in 2024, making China the EU's largest external import partner. At the same time, the proportion of total imports coming from the United Kingdom, which was historically a large importer to EU countries (the UK was an EU member state until 2020), have more than halved, from 18 percent to less than 7 percent. This secular trend existed before the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, however, there has been a notable drop in imports from the UK since Brexit was enacted in 2020. By contrast the share of the EU's import trade taken by the U.S., Switzerland, and the Rest of World have remained relatively stable over this period. The share of exports coming from Russia was growing steadily in the period before 2014, after which the EU imposed economic sanctions on Russia due to the illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Imports from Russia collapsed in 2023, due to the effect of the additional economic sanctions placed on Russia in response to the full scale invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.The Russian Federation is now only the tenth-largest exporter to the EU, after India, Japan, and South Korea.

The European Union's total Exports in 2024 were valued at US$2.80 Trillion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The European Union's main export partners were: the United States, the United Kingdom and China. The top three export commodities were: Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers; Pharmaceutical products and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Imports were valued at US$2.64 Trillion. In 2024, The European Union had a trade surplus of US$159.68 Billion.

The European Union's total Imports in 2024 were valued at US$2.64 Trillion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The European Union's main import partners were: China, the United States and the United Kingdom. The top three import commodities were: Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products; Electrical, electronic equipment and Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers. Total Exports were valued at US$2.80 Trillion. In 2024, The European Union had a trade surplus of US$159.68 Billion.

International trade in goods statistics (ITGS) published by Eurostat measure the value and quantity of goods traded between the EU Member States (intra-EU trade) and goods traded by the EU Member States with non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). ‘Goods’ means all movable property including electricity. ‘European’ means that the statistics are compiled on the basis of the concepts and definitions set out in EU legislation. ‘National’ statistics, i.e. statistics published at national level by the Member States, are compiled on the basis of national rules which may differ from EU rules. European ITGS are the official harmonised source of information about exports, imports and the trade balances of the EU, its Member States and the euro area.

Aggregated versus detailed data

International trade in goods statistics are published through different datasets grouped into two categories:

• Aggregated data refer to macroeconomic indicators for the EU and euro area. Monthly (short-term indicators) and annual (long-term indicators) data are aggregated by broad product categories. Broad product categories are defined as one-digit codes of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) or aggregates of the Broad Economic Categories (BEC).
• Detailed data refer to the most detailed level of the following product nomenclatures: the Combined Nomenclature (CN), the SITC, the BEC, the Classification of Products by Activity (CPA) and the Standard Goods Classification for Transport Statistics/Revised (NSTR). Detailed data also contain product aggregations at higher levels.

Statistical dimensions

Data periodicity (monthly or yearly) and product nomenclature (CN, SITC, BEC or CPA) differ depending on the dataset, but the following statistical fields are always available:

• reporting country: country or geo-economic area such as EU or euro area;
• partner country: EU Member State, non-EU country or geo-economic area.
• reference period: month and/or year;
• trade flows: import and export; and
• product according to the relevant classification.

Besides the dimensions listed above, specific datasets contain information on the mode of transport (e.g. by sea, by air or by road) or the statistical procedure (normal trade versus trade for processing activities).

The share of total exports from European Union member states which goes to other EU countries underwent a decline from its early 2000s high point during the global financial crisis, great recession and Eurozone crisis (2007-2012), before rebounding back to around 61.77 percent of total exports in 2023. This share is a good indicator of the relative importance of intra-EU trade, that is, trade governed by the "four freedoms" of the European Single Market (freedom of movement for goods, services, capital, and labor), vis-a-vis international trade with partners outside of the European Union. It is worth keeping in mind that the United Kingdom, a key trading partner of many European Union countries, left the EU in 2020, meaning that the country was added to the extra-EU share. The fact that this did not have a notable effect on the share of exports going to extra-EU countries points to the declining relative importance of the UK as a trade partner for the EU.

Czech Republic Exports: European Union 28 (EU 28) data was reported at 420,706,645.000 CZK th in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 438,639,333.000 CZK th for Jan 2025. Czech Republic Exports: European Union 28 (EU 28) data is updated monthly, averaging 204,461,489.000 CZK th from Jan 1999 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 314 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 474,538,144.000 CZK th in Nov 2024 and a record low of 52,439,320.000 CZK th in Jan 1999. Czech Republic Exports: European Union 28 (EU 28) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Czech Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Czech Republic – Table CZ.JA004: Trade Statistics: by Main Trade Partner.

Exports: USD: ytd: DV: ow European Union Countries (EU) data was reported at 138.300 USD bn in Aug 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 122.956 USD bn for Jul 2018. Exports: USD: ytd: DV: ow European Union Countries (EU) data is updated monthly, averaging 51.147 USD bn from Dec 1999 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 210 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 181.891 USD bn in Dec 2017 and a record low of 4.048 USD bn in Feb 2002. Exports: USD: ytd: DV: ow European Union Countries (EU) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.JA002: Trade Statistics: ytd: by Main Trade Partner.

Top Import Trading Partners of European-union with import value and Year on Year growth comparison

Bulgaria Exports: FOB: European Union excl UK (EU 27E) data was reported at 2,134.400 EUR mn in Jan 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,919.300 EUR mn for Dec 2024. Bulgaria Exports: FOB: European Union excl UK (EU 27E) data is updated monthly, averaging 2,184.400 EUR mn from Jan 2020 (Median) to Jan 2025, with 61 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,855.100 EUR mn in May 2022 and a record low of 1,250.200 EUR mn in Apr 2020. Bulgaria Exports: FOB: European Union excl UK (EU 27E) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulgarian National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.JA004: Exports: by Main Trade Partners.

Bulgaria Exports: FOB: Europe: European Union 27 excl UK (EU 27E) data was reported at 6,999.500 EUR mn in Sep 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7,153.200 EUR mn for Jun 2024. Bulgaria Exports: FOB: Europe: European Union 27 excl UK (EU 27E) data is updated quarterly, averaging 6,663.700 EUR mn from Mar 2020 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,272.200 EUR mn in Jun 2022 and a record low of 4,071.400 EUR mn in Jun 2020. Bulgaria Exports: FOB: Europe: European Union 27 excl UK (EU 27E) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulgarian National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.JA005: Exports: by Main Trade Partners and End Use.

Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: European Union 27 excl UK (EU 27E) data was reported at 6,522.900 EUR mn in Dec 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,156.200 EUR mn for Sep 2022. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: European Union 27 excl UK (EU 27E) data is updated quarterly, averaging 4,766.400 EUR mn from Mar 2020 (Median) to Dec 2022, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,522.900 EUR mn in Dec 2022 and a record low of 3,301.900 EUR mn in Jun 2020. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: European Union 27 excl UK (EU 27E) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulgarian National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.JA008: Imports: by Main Trade Partners and End Use.

Dataset replaced by: http://data.europa.eu/euodp/data/dataset/TlvVelzouufZya4T8Yb8FA The table shows the 20 main partners of the Euro area 18 (according to the sum imports+exports), expressed in value terms and in % of the total flow.

Replication files for a book chapter with Cambridge University Press. Many public opinion surveys show that most citizens view international trade favourably. However, differences emerge when asked about support for trade with specific countries, as people are more supportive of trade with some countries than with others. In other words, people have preferences for specific trading partners. Whereas citizens mostly only have an indirect influence on countries’ trade policy, political elites, such as legislators, have a direct say in these policies. Just as citizens, they also may prefer some potential trading partners to others. With this in mind, this contribution asks two related questions: what explains attitudes towards trade with different countries? And do the factors that determine trading partner preferences differ between citizens and political elites? We address these questions for the case of Latin American countries. Data from the Design of Trade Agreements (DESTA) project (Dür et al. 2014) show that these countries have been particularly active in forging trade agreements. Importantly, countries in Latin America have reached out to Western partners, such as the United States (US) and the European Union (EU), but also to non-Western countries, in particular China. Which entity becomes the major trading partner has important implications, as China, the EU, and the US put forward substantially different models of trade liberalization.

Poland Exports: EUR: Year to Date: DV: ow European Union Countries (EU) data was reported at 129,900.000 EUR mn in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 115,150.500 EUR mn for Aug 2018. Poland Exports: EUR: Year to Date: DV: ow European Union Countries (EU) data is updated monthly, averaging 39,370.800 EUR mn from Dec 2000 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 210 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 165,389.600 EUR mn in Dec 2017 and a record low of 4,136.800 EUR mn in Jan 2005. Poland Exports: EUR: Year to Date: DV: ow European Union Countries (EU) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.JA002: Trade Statistics: ytd: by Main Trade Partner.

The product has been discontinued since: 29 Nov 2016. The table shows the 20 main partners of the EU27 (according to the sum imports+exports), expressed in value terms and in % of the total flow.

Plant products, such as cereals, oil seeds, fruit, and vegetables, were the leading export commodities of Ukraine to the European Union (EU) in 2023, having occupied nearly ** percent of the total value. Base metals, including ferrous metals, aluminum, and copper, represented ** percent and ranked second.

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.

This statistic represents the major pharmaceutical trading partners regarding imports of the European Union from 2010 to 2024. In 2024, over ***** percent of EU pharmaceutical imports came from the United Kingdom.

In the second quarter of 2025, the value of exports from the United Kingdom amounted to approximately 227 billion British pounds, while imports to the country amounted to around 241 billion pounds, resulting in a trade deficit of around 14.4 billion pounds in this quarter. During this time period, the value of UK exports was highest in the fourth quarter of 2022, with the value of imports peaking in the third quarter of 2022. The UK's main trade partners Despite the UK leaving the EU in 2020 following the Brexit referendum of 2016, Europe remains the main destination for UK exports, with almost half of UK exports heading there in 2023. During the same year, just over 60 percent of imports came from European countries, compared with around 17.9 percent from countries in Asia, and 11.8 percent from the Americas. In terms of individual countries, the United States was the UK's leading export partner for both goods and services from the UK, while Germany was the main source of UK goods imports, and the U.S. for service imports. It is as yet unclear how the return of Donald Trump to the White House will impact UK/US trade relations, should the President follow through with threats made on the campaign trail to increase trade tariffs. Brexit rethink under Starmer? Although generally more pro-European than the previous government, the new Labour government, led by Keir Starmer, does not plan to rejoin the European Union, or the Single Market. Public opinion, while gradually turning against Brexit recently, has not coalesced around a particular trading relationship. In late 2023, a survey indicated that while 31 percent of British adults wanted to rejoin the EU, a further 30 percent wanted to simply improve relations with the EU, instead of rejoining. Just 11 percent of respondents wanted to join the single market but not the EU, while 10 percent were happy with the relationship as it was. At the start of 2025, after several months in office, the new government has not signalled any major change in direction regarding on this, but has broadly signalled it wants a better relationship with the EU.