Trade with the bloc slipped behind non-EU countries for the first time in the first quarter of the year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Figures show that total trade in goods fell by 23.1 per cent compared with the same quarter last year. By comparison, trade with countries outside the EU fell by 0.8 per cent. SponsoredThe ONS said that EU trade came under pressure from border disruptions after the transition period came to an end at the start of 2021. Global trade also suffered when the pandemic hit but it gradually recovered throughout the year.

Source: The Times May 25, 2021 16:04 UTC