A story in the Express is blowing apart the argument that EU trade is vital to the UK, which is a cornerstone argument for staying in the EU.
"Exports to the EU now make up just 36 per cent of the UK’s overseas trade, barely more than we sell to the Commonwealth...
While exports to the EU are in decline, business with the Commonwealth and Anglosphere markets such as the US, Australia and Hong Kong is booming.
Exports to the Commonwealth and the Anglosphere have reached 33 per cent of the UK total – up from 28 per cent in 1992.
The true export tally was uncovered by anti-EU campaign group Get Britain Out.
Spokesman Luke Stanley said: “These figures demonstrate how redundant our membership of the EU has become to the British economy.
“We must leave the EU now and press ahead arranging free trade agreements with our historic and cultural allies all across the globe.
“From the US and Canada in the west to India, Hong Kong and Australia in the east, the potential markets for an independent Britain’s exports are limitless.”
Full story: Express.co.uk
So another set of stats and figures being used to bolster the anti EU argument but if true, do raise an interesting point and could they collapse the pro-Euro argument which seems to be centred around Trade and the economy.
I've no doubt we will see some counter stats and argument as we crawl onwards to election propaganda, as the main parties pin their colours to their respective masts and hope to win over UKIP support.
The Express has also flagged how EU spending is set to rise, with an additional £400 million required, taking the UK's contribution to £13.7 billion. None of this is going to help the pro-Europe camp.
Do you think we should be concentrating on Commonwealth, North American and Far Eastern Trade rather on our doorstep?
