Brexit hurts EU-UK trade

Brexit hurt two-way trade between the European Union and Britain, with the auto, textile and aviation sectors the worst hit, the French economy ministry said Thursday.

The ministry released data on the sidelines of an EU ministerial meeting in Paris dedicated to reviewing the fallout from Britain's departure from the bloc a year ago.

EU exports to Britain fell by 15 per cent in the first 10 months of last year compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic, according to the French economy ministry.

EU imports from Britain sank by 30 per cent over the same period. The Covid-19 pandemic has also had a major effect on trade flows between the two sides.

But the EU's total imports and exports exceeded 2019 levels during the first 10 months of last year, according to data from the bloc's Eurostat agency.