The UK in the wider world

Trade and the EU

The UK is a major trading nation, exporting services such as finance, and goods such as cars, aircraft parts and medicines.

is the UK's largest trading partner. In 2025, 48% of the UK's goods exports went to the EU, according to the government's trade statistics.
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. Trade with the EU now needs more paperwork, but the UK is free to make its own , such as with Australia and Japan.

Trade links depend on transport (ports, the Channel Tunnel and airports) and on communications.

Key terms

The Commonwealth

The is a voluntary association of 56 countries, most of which were once part of the British Empire, such as India, Nigeria, Canada and Jamaica.

Members cooperate on , education, democracy and climate change.
They share links of language, law, sport and family: many British people have family roots in Commonwealth countries.
The Commonwealth Games are held every four years.

Key terms

Culture, transport and communications

Culture: British music, film, television and books are known worldwide. The Premier League is watched in almost every country, and the BBC World Service broadcasts in many languages.
Transport: Heathrow is one of the world's busiest airports for international flights; the Channel Tunnel links the UK to Europe by rail; ports handle goods from around the world.
Communications: undersea carry internet traffic across the Atlantic and to Europe, making London a global centre for finance and data.
People: migration, tourism and students from around the world link the UK to other countries.

Key terms

Exam practice

Plan your own answer first, then open the model answers to see what each level looks like.

6 marks · about 6 minutes

Explain the UK's economic and political links with the EU and the Commonwealth.

Explain means: Give the reasons why something happens, developing each point with "because" or "so".

Level 1 (Basic)· 2/6 marks (band 1–2)

The UK trades with the EU. The UK left the EU. The UK is in the Commonwealth.

Why this level: Correct facts, listed but not explained. To reach Level 2: explain what each link involves and why it matters to the UK.

Level 2 (Clear)· 4/6 marks (band 3–4)

The EU is the UK's largest trading partner: in 2025, 48% of the UK's goods exports went there. Since leaving the EU on 31 January 2020, trade needs more paperwork, but the UK can make its own deals. The Commonwealth links the UK to 56 countries that cooperate on trade and education.

Why this level: Clear economic and political links, with evidence. To reach Level 3: develop the effects of leaving the EU and the Commonwealth's political and cultural links more fully.

Level 3 (Detailed)· 6/6 marks (band 5–6)

The EU is the UK's largest trading partner: in 2025, 48% of the UK's goods exports went there, because the EU is a large, nearby market. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, so trade now needs more paperwork and checks, which has raised costs for some businesses; however, the UK can now make its own trade deals, such as with Australia and Japan. Politically, the UK still cooperates with the EU on security and climate. The Commonwealth links the UK to 56 countries, most once part of the British Empire. They cooperate on trade, education and democracy, and share links of language, law and family, which make trade and migration between them easier.

Why this level: Detailed explanation of economic and political links with both groups, developed with evidence and effects. This is Level 3.

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