In 2023, EU countries exported €154.3 billion worth of technical, trade-related and other business services (such as engineering, waste treatment and operating leasing services) to countries outside of the EU and imported €136.6 billion, resulting in a €17.7 billion trade surplus. Exports increased by 4.8%, while imports decreased by 0.5% compared with 2022.
The United Kingdom was the EU’s largest trade partner for technical, trade-related and other business services in 2023. More than a fifth of all exports went to the United Kingdom (32.5 billion; 21.1%), while the United States was the second largest export partner (€26.8 billion; 17.4%), followed by Switzerland (€16.4 billion; 10.6%).
Regarding EU imports, more than a quarter came from the United Kingdom (€36.2 billion; 26.5%), while the United States (€26.6 billion; 19.5%) and Switzerland (€10.8 billion; 7.9%) again came second and third.