Discusses key economic indicators and trade statistics, which countries are dominant in the market, the U.S. market share, the political situation if relevant, the top reasons why U.S. companies should consider exporting to this country, and other issues that affect trade, e.g., terrorism, currency devaluations, trade agreements.
Last Published: 10/9/2019


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On June 23, 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU), ushering in a period of economic and political uncertainty that persists as the UK seeks to define a new, post-Brexit, relationship with the EU and its other key trading partners. As part of the Brexit process, the UK Government triggered the two-year exit process by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in March 2017. The UK was initially scheduled to depart from the EU on March 29, 2019. After subsequent negotiations, the Brexit departure date was delayed and is now set for October 31, 2019.  Prime Minister Boris Johnson assumed office on July 24, 2019, setting out to continue negotiations with the EU on the Withdrawal Agreement or determining whether or not the UK will pursue a “hard” (or “no deal”) Brexit on October 31, 2019.

Despite the challenges and uncertainty posed by the continuing Brexit process, the UK remains a critical market for American exports of goods and services and a key destination of U.S. foreign direct investment.

The United Kingdom (estimated 2018 GDP of $2.6 trillion) is a major international trading power, with the fifth-largest economy in the world according to the World Bank Group, the second-largest economy in the European Union.

While the United Kingdom is geographically relatively small (about the size of Oregon), it has a population of more than 65 million people.

Highly developed, sophisticated, and diversified, the UK market is the largest in Europe and the fifth-largest in the world for U.S. goods exports.  The United Kingdom is the largest market in the world for U.S. service exports.

With relatively few trade barriers, the United Kingdom serves as the entry market into the European Union for more than 43,000 U.S. exporters.  U.S. exports to the UK of goods and services combined were estimated to be worth about $140.8 billion in 2018. 

Major categories of U.S. exports include Aerospace Products, Agricultural Products, Cyber Security, Medical Equipment, New Build Civil Nuclear, certain consumer goods (such as Pet Products), Smart Grids, Sustainable Construction, and Travel & Tourism.

The UK ranks third in overall number of people arriving to the United States (behind Canada and Mexico, respectively), and thus the UK is the number one overseas market for travel to the United States, with four to five million UK travelers visiting the United States each year.  British travelers are estimated to contribute over $12 billion to the American economy annually. 

The U.S.-UK investment relationship is the largest in the world, with cumulative bilateral stock in direct investment valued at more than $1.2 trillion in 2016.  More than two million jobs, approximately one million in each country, have been created over the years as a result of this investment.

More than 7,500 U.S. firms have a presence in the United Kingdom, which is also the top location in Europe for U.S. regional headquarters covering Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.  A major international financial, media, and transportation hub, London is also headquarters to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The UK economy grew by 1.4% in 2018, a modest deceleration from previous years, reflecting uncertainty caused by the Brexit vote and what it will mean for the UK economy.  Some observers expect the  economy to weaken slightly in 2019 if a no deal Brexit takes place as consumer confidence could be suppressed by factors such as rising inflation and potential currency fluctuations.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.