Get the facts on trade

18 January 2022

Express overstates Brexit trade deal value, again

The Express claimed that post-Brexit, the UK has struck new free trade deals with 70 countries worth over £760bn. This is the total value of trade with these countries, not the value of trade deals.

3 December 2021

Express vastly overstates impact of UK trade deals

The Express suggested that post-Brexit trade deals will deliver a £766 billion boost. This figure refers to the total value of trade between the UK and countries it has agreed trade deals with.

27 October 2021

Is the UK really the EU’s ‘Treasure Island’?

The UK accounts for 69% of the EU’s goods trade surplus—but that’s a figure which could be misleading unless you understand exactly how it’s calculated.

2 August 2021

The government’s numbers on savings for wine drinkers don’t add up

The government estimated its new imports policy will save wine drinkers £130 million. An industry body puts the figure at around £30 million.

22 July 2021

The EU doesn’t have a 40% tariff on African food imports

This was claimed by MP George Freeman when outlining the UK’s commitment to developing nations.

18 June 2021

April’s trade figures fact checked

Covid-19 and Brexit mean trade volumes are incredibly volatile at the moment. We take a look at some of the claims about the latest data.

20 May 2021

Covid-19 vaccine exports and the UK

Companies in these countries have fulfilled contracts to export the vaccines to countries like the UK.

4 June 2020

Claim that extending the Brexit transition period could cost £380 billion is not credible

Most studies into the economic impacts of Brexit show leaving the customs union and single market will mean the UK economy is smaller compared to remaining.

26 May 2020

Claim that 7.7% of UK goods exports go to the EU is a big underestimate

The Express has misquoted figures on the UK goods trade with the EU.

13 March 2020

The government’s “£1.8 billion pay rise” from a US trade deal doesn’t outweigh the impacts of Brexit on wages

Analysis from the government estimates real wages after 15 years to be 6.4% less than had we stayed in the EU, but a US deal could counterbalance wages by 0.2%.

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Express overstates Brexit trade deal value, again

Express vastly overstates impact of UK trade deals

Is the UK really the EU’s ‘Treasure Island’?

The government’s numbers on savings for wine drinkers don’t add up

The EU doesn’t have a 40% tariff on African food imports

April’s trade figures fact checked

Covid-19 vaccine exports and the UK

Claim that extending the Brexit transition period could cost £380 billion is not credible

Claim that 7.7% of UK goods exports go to the EU is a big underestimate

The government’s “£1.8 billion pay rise” from a US trade deal doesn’t outweigh the impacts of Brexit on wages

Full Fact fights bad information