Who is the UK's biggest trading partner?

The United States is the UK's largest single trading partner. In the four quarters to the end of March 2026, UK trade with the US was £333.9 billion, 17.4% of all UK trade, according to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) trade and investment factsheets updated on 24 September 2026. Germany was second (8.1%), China fourth (5.6%).

Taken as one bloc, the EU is bigger than any single country. Over that period the UK exported £385.3 billion to the EU and imported £480.6 billion from it, against £551.3 billion of exports and £501.1 billion of imports with all non-EU countries combined (UK trade in numbers).

Check whether a claim compares a country with a bloc, and whether it covers goods only or goods and services. Goods routed through ports such as Rotterdam may be recorded against the transit country. See our guide to UK trade statistics.

Official sources: DBT trade and investment factsheets · UK trade in numbers (DBT)

The latest figure

The newest value is at Office for National Statistics (ONS). More on it: UK trade balance (goods and services).

When is the next figure out?

Monthly, about six weeks after the month ends, 7am; next release 15 October 2026

Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.

Terms used in this answer

• Balance of trade
  The value of a country's exports minus its imports. A negative balance is a trade deficit.
• Cash terms
  A money figure stated at the prices of the time it refers to, with no adjustment for inflation. Also called nominal terms.
• Seasonally adjusted
  Figures that have had regular calendar patterns removed, such as Christmas shopping or summer jobs, so that underlying movements between months or quarters can be seen.
• Revisions
  Changes to previously published figures, made when more complete data, improved methods or updated seasonal factors become available. A normal part of official statistics.
• Rolling average
  An average recalculated each period over a fixed window, such as the latest three months or twelve months, to smooth out short-term ups and downs.

Where the figures come from

• UK trade statistics (ONS, HMRC uktradeinfo and Department for Business and Trade)
  Where to find official UK trade figures: the ONS trade bulletin and balance of payments, HMRC uktradeinfo by product code, and DBT country factsheets.

Related questions

• How much does the UK export to the EU?
• How much does the UK trade with China?
• How do I look up UK trade data by country or product?

This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about trade, exports and brexit: all Trade, exports and Brexit questions.