UK Trade Deficit Narrows With Jump in Car and Aircraft Exports

  • Falling natural gas prices also helped reduce the deficit
  • Exports to the EU fell for a fourth consecutive month

Cars waiting for export on the dockside at The Port of Liverpool.

Photographer: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images 

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Britain’s trade deficit narrowed sharply after a slump in natural gas prices reduced import costs and a flurry of exports of aircraft and cars.

The deficit in goods and services trade fell by £6.5 billion ($7.9 billion) to £20.2 billion in the three months to November. Exports to the European Union were hit again in the wake of Britain’s exit from the bloc.