The United Kingdom’s trade balance with non-EU countries deteriorated significantly in February 2026, with the deficit widening to £7.10 billion from £3.46 billion in January 2026. The latest figures, updated on 16 April 2026, highlight a sharp month-on-month shift in external trade dynamics outside the European Union.
February’s reading more than doubles January’s shortfall, signalling increased pressure on the UK’s external position with non-EU partners. While the data do not specify whether the change was driven primarily by weaker exports or stronger imports, the magnitude of the move suggests a notable imbalance that could weigh on overall trade performance in the first quarter of 2026.
Market participants and policymakers are likely to scrutinise upcoming releases to determine whether February’s figure represents a temporary fluctuation or the start of a more persistent widening trend in the UK’s non-EU trade deficit.
