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The United Kingdom is located in Western Europe. It is a federal country composed of England, Scotland, Wales on the island of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the northeast of the island of Ireland. The United Kingdom is surrounded by the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea, the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It borders the North Sea to the east, facing Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Norway; it borders Ireland to the west, facing the United States and Canada across the Atlantic Ocean; Iceland can be reached by crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the north; France is 33 kilometers away from the English Channel to the south.
The main minerals in the United Kingdom include: oil, natural gas, coal, tin, iron ore, potash, barite, fluorite, gypsum, etc. Non-metallic minerals are abundant, but metal mineral resources are relatively poor.
The official language of the United Kingdom is English. Residents in northern Wales use Welsh, and residents in the northwest Highlands of Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland use Gaelic.
The United Kingdom is a major chemical producer in the world. There are more than 4,000 companies in the British chemical industry, of which 70% are foreign-funded enterprises. British chemical products are highly competitive. According to the Chemical Industries Association (CIA), the industry will have an annual export value of about 54 billion pounds in 2022, an economic added value of 30.3 billion pounds, and create more than 500,000 jobs. The UK is also one of the world's major pharmaceutical centers, with the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK. AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline are the eighth and tenth largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, respectively. In addition, foreign companies such as Pfizer and Roche have also invested in setting up factories in the UK.
The UK is one of the fastest growing food and beverage markets in the world. Driven by innovations in chemistry and nanotechnology, the UK food and beverage industry is also constantly innovating, especially in high-tech packaging, health and convenience foods. According to the latest data from the Food & Drink Federation (FDF), the UK food and beverage industry is the largest production industry in the UK, larger than the UK's automotive and aerospace industries combined. The food and beverage industry will have sales of approximately £113 billion in 2022, an increase of 13.2%, providing approximately 456,000 jobs and exporting £25 billion. The top three export markets are Ireland, France and the United States.
The UK has a developed life science industry. According to the latest classification by the Office for Life Sciences, the UK life science industry includes biopharmaceuticals, medical technology and corresponding services and supplies. The UK is the world's leading center for biopharmaceuticals and is a leader in complex protein and DNA technology therapies. The UK biotechnology industry is one of the main areas for attracting overseas investment. The UK is the most attractive country for multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology operations. According to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), British companies create 40% of biotechnology products listed in Europe. At the same time, more than 45% of biopharmaceuticals entering the clinical stage in Europe are produced in the UK. According to the latest data from the Office for Life Sciences, the UK exported approximately $27.7 billion in drugs and approximately $5.4 billion in medical technology products in 2021.
There are many ports in the UK, including 120 important commercial ports. In 2022, all ports in the UK handled a total of 459 million tons of cargo, an increase of 3% over 2021. Ports with an annual throughput of 10 million tons include: Grimsby-Birmingham, London, Tees-Hartlepool, Forth, Milford-Haven, Southampton, Lougheed, Salonwall, Felixstowe, Dover, etc. Maritime transport accounts for 95% of foreign trade transportation. Goods from most British ports to major European ports such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Hamburg, etc. can arrive in one day, and to Marseille, Frankfurt and Milan in two days.
The UK is a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and will become a WTO member again as an independent member after the Brexit transition period ends on January 1, 2021. The UK is located in Western Europe. Although it is only adjacent to Ireland on land, it maintains close ties with the European continent through waterways and the Channel Tunnel, which can radiate the entire European market. As of August 7, 2023, the UK has signed trade agreements with more than 70 countries and regions. In addition to the EU, major trade agreement partners include Iceland and Norway, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, Turkey, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. On July 16, 2023, the UK and CPTPP members formally signed the UK's accession to the CPTPP Protocol, which is expected to take effect in the second half of 2024. In addition, the UK is negotiating or planning to sign trade agreements with India, Canada, Mexico, Israel, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Maldives, and is conducting upgraded trade negotiations with Switzerland and South Korea.
The UK's annual trade in goods in 2022 was 1.059 trillion pounds, a year-on-year increase of 29.7%, of which exports were 414.1 billion pounds, an increase of 28.0%, and imports were 644.6 billion pounds, an increase of 30.8%.
【Major trading partners】
Based on the value of goods exports in 2022, the top five export destinations of the UK are: the United States, 56.7 billion pounds; the Netherlands, 37 billion pounds; Germany, 33.3 billion pounds; Ireland, 30.3 billion pounds; China, 27.6 billion pounds. China is the fifth largest export destination of the UK.
Based on the value of goods imports in 2022, the top five import sources of the UK are: Germany, 70.6 billion pounds; China, 70.3 billion pounds; the United States, 62.3 billion pounds; the Netherlands, 55.6 billion pounds; Norway, 44.5 billion pounds. China is the second largest import source of the UK.The United Kingdom is located in Western Europe and consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is surrounded by the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea, the Irish Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. The UK is close to several countries: to the east, it faces Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Norway; to the west, it is near the United States and Canada across the Atlantic; and to the south, France is just 33 kilometers away across the English Channel.
The UK's main minerals include oil, natural gas, coal, tin, iron ore, potash, barite, fluorite, and gypsum. While non-metallic minerals are abundant, metal resources are relatively scarce.
English is the official language, with Welsh spoken in northern Wales and Gaelic in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
【Key Industries】
**Chemicals**
The UK is a major global producer in the chemical industry, hosting over 4,000 companies, with 70% being foreign-owned. The industry had an export value of about £54 billion in 2022, with an economic contribution of £30.3 billion and over 500,000 jobs.
**Pharmaceuticals**
The UK is a significant pharmaceutical hub, home to top companies like AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline. Foreign firms such as Pfizer and Roche also have operations in the UK.
**Food and Beverage**
This is the UK’s largest production industry, surpassing automotive and aerospace. In 2022, the industry had sales of approximately £113 billion, providing around 456,000 jobs and exporting £25 billion. The top export markets are Ireland, France, and the United States.
**Life Sciences**
The UK leads in biopharmaceuticals and biotechnology, creating 40% of Europe's biotechnology products. The industry attracted significant overseas investment, with exports of approximately $27.7 billion in drugs and $5.4 billion in medical technology products in 2021.
【Ports and Trade】
The UK has many ports, with 120 key commercial ones. In 2022, they handled a total of 459 million tons of cargo, a 3% increase from 2021. Major ports include Grimsby-Birmingham, London, Tees-Hartlepool, and Southampton. Maritime transport accounts for 95% of foreign trade.
As a founding member of the World Trade Organization, the UK rejoined as an independent member post-Brexit on January 1, 2021. The UK has signed trade agreements with over 70 countries, including major partners like Iceland, Norway, Japan, and Canada. On July 16, 2023, the UK signed the CPTPP Protocol, which is expected to take effect in the second half of 2024. Negotiations are ongoing with countries like India, Canada, and Mexico.
In 2022, the UK's total trade in goods was £1.059 trillion, with exports of £414.1 billion and imports of £644.6 billion.
【Major Trading Partners】
In 2022, the top five export destinations were:
- United States: £56.7 billion
- Netherlands: £37 billion
- Germany: £33.3 billion
- Ireland: £30.3 billion
- China: £27.6 billion
For imports, the top sources were:
- Germany: £70.6 billion
- China: £70.3 billion
- United States: £62.3 billion
- Netherlands: £55.6 billion
- Norway: £44.5 billion
【Trade Commodities】
The main exports include crude oil (£28.8 billion), engines (£27.8 billion), pharmaceutical products (£25.4 billion), and automobiles (£24.7 billion). The top imports are natural gas (£49 billion), automobiles (£36.3 billion), crude oil (£32.3 billion), pharmaceutical products (£30.8 billion), and refined oil (£30.3 billion).
Blooming British Importer & Exporter Data provides updated information on importers and exporters, including transaction details, contact information, and more.
【Trade commodity structure】
The main export products of the UK are: crude oil, 28.8 billion pounds; engines (intermediate products), 27.8 billion pounds; pharmaceutical products, 25.4 billion pounds; automobiles, 24.7 billion pounds.
The top five import products are: natural gas, £49 billion; automobiles, £36.3 billion; crude oil, £32.3 billion; pharmaceutical products, £30.8 billion; refined oil, £30.3 billion.
Blooming British Importer & Exporter Data is kept up to date and mainly includes the main information of British importers and exporters, including the transaction's hscode, address, contact person, email address, etc.
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