United Kingdom-Spain Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $37.19B total volume โ€ขUnited Kingdom deficit: $13.70B

United Kingdom โ†’ Spain

$11.75B

Exports (2023)

Spain โ†’ United Kingdom

$25.44B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$13.70B

Deficit for United Kingdom

Total Trade

$37.19B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between United Kingdom and Spain. Green line shows exports from United Kingdom, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the United Kingdom-Spain commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

United Kingdom โ†’ Spain Exports

$11.75B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
5.7% top product
1Waste and scrap of precious metals: of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals
$672.52M
5.7% of exports
2Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$572.43M
4.9% of exports
3Uranium: enriched in U235, plutonium, their compounds, alloys dispersions (including cermets), ceramic products and mixtures containing uranium enriched in U235, plutonium or compounds of these products
$487.86M
4.2% of exports
4Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN
$469.09M
4.0% of exports
5Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder)
$358.54M
3.1% of exports
6Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$283.66M
2.4% of exports
7Heterocyclic compounds: with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, containing an unfused pyrazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, other than henazone (antipyrin) and its derivatives
$277.21M
2.4% of exports
8Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes or helicopters n.e.c. in heading no. 8803
$259.82M
2.2% of exports
9Whiskies
$244.48M
2.1% of exports
10Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude
$244.12M
2.1% of exports

๐ŸŽฏ Strategic Export Focus

United Kingdom's export portfolio to Spain demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with waste and scrap of precious metals: of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Spain โ†’ United Kingdom Imports

$25.44B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
7.1% concentration
1Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc
$1.81B
7.1% of imports
2Metals: gold, semi-manufactured
$1.22B
4.8% of imports
3Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, capable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$1.04B
4.1% of imports
4Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
$970.93M
3.8% of imports
5Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc
$916.14M
3.6% of imports
6Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$516.35M
2.0% of imports
7Vaccines: for human medicine
$405.05M
1.6% of imports
8Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers
$395.28M
1.6% of imports
9Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$347.83M
1.4% of imports
10Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsion
$326.56M
1.3% of imports

๐Ÿ“ฆ Import Strategy Analysis

United Kingdom's import pattern from Spain reveals significant dependencyin vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

๐Ÿ†

Market Leadership

United Kingdom demonstrates competitive strength in exportingwaste and scrap of precious metals: of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals to Spain, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
๐Ÿ”„

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth Potential

The $37.19B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: United Kingdom-Spain Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $37.19 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: United Kingdom maintains a deficit of $13.70 billion
  • Export Focus: United Kingdom's primary exports include waste and scrap of precious metals: of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals, vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power, uranium: enriched in u235, plutonium, their compounds, alloys dispersions (including cermets), ceramic products and mixtures containing uranium enriched in u235, plutonium or compounds of these products
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Spain include vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, metals: gold, semi-manufactured, vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, capable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

๐Ÿ“ˆ Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents a significant global trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $37.19B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with United Kingdom leveraging its comparative advantages in waste and scrap of precious metals: of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

United Kingdom's specialization in waste and scrap of precious metals: of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metalscomplements Spain's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $37.19B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyHigh
๐Ÿ”ฎ

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $37.19B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Trade Volume Impact

The $37.19 billion bilateral trade volume represents a significant economic factorfor both economies.

Economic Significance: High
๐Ÿญ

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in waste and scrap of precious metals: of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals and vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
โš–๏ธ

Trade Balance Effects

United Kingdom's trade deficit of $13.70 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Import Dependency

Strategic Future Outlook

๐Ÿš€Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

โš ๏ธRisk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in waste and scrap of precious metals: of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals may affect future market positioning.

๐ŸŽฏStrategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between United Kingdom and Spain represents a total trade volume of $37.19 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for United Kingdom, with imports exceeding exportsby $13.70 billion.

Export Strengths

United Kingdom's exports to Spain total $11.75 billion, with competitive advantages in waste and scrap of precious metals: of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals, representing $672.52M or5.7% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Spain amount to $25.44 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, with Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc comprising7.1% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates United Kingdom's strategic sourcing from Spain. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between United Kingdom and Spain in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) โ€ข Last Updated: January 2025 โ€ข Coverage: 1995-2023