The United Kingdom’s trade balance with non-EU countries showed a marked improvement in August 2026, with the deficit narrowing to -£5.29 billion from -£9.66 billion in July 2026. The latest data, updated on 15 October 2026, indicate a substantial month-on-month reduction in the gap between imports from and exports to non-EU partners.
This shift suggests that either export performance to non-EU markets strengthened, import demand eased, or a combination of both factors helped to reduce the deficit. While the UK remains in negative territory on its non-EU trade balance, the move from -£9.66 billion to -£5.29 billion points to a notable adjustment over a single month, which will be closely watched by policymakers and market participants tracking the country’s external position and overall economic momentum.
