International trade

Trading blocs and agreements

Trade agreements, economic unions and customs blocs — and where the UK sits in each.

21 blocs matching.

EEA

European Economic Area

Single Market · 30 members · established 1994

The EEA unites the EU member states and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway in an internal market governed by the same …

UK agreement

EFTA

European Free Trade Association

Free Trade Area · 4 members · established 1960

EFTA is an intergovernmental organisation promoting free trade among Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

UK agreement

CPTPP

Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership

Trade Agreement · 11 members · established 2018

A trade agreement among 12 countries around the Pacific Rim. The UK became a member in 2024.

UK member

AfCFTA

African Continental Free Trade Area

Free Trade Area · 26 members · established 2018

The world's largest free trade area by number of participating countries, covering 54 African nations.

No UK agreement

COMESA

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa

Free Trade Area · 12 members · established 1994

A free trade area stretching from Libya to Eswatini with 21 member states.

UK agreement

EAC

East African Community

Customs Union · 4 members · established 2000

A regional intergovernmental organisation comprising Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

UK agreement

ECOWAS

Economic Community of West African States

Economic Union · 4 members · established 1975

A regional political and economic union of 15 West African countries.

No UK agreement

CAN

Andean Community

Customs Union · 4 members · established 1969

A trade bloc comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

UK agreement

CARICOM

Caribbean Community

Economic Union · 8 members · established 1973

A grouping of 15 Caribbean nations promoting economic integration.

UK agreement

PA

Pacific Alliance

Free Trade Area · 4 members · established 2011

A trade bloc formed by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.

No UK agreement

Mercosur

Southern Common Market

Customs Union · 4 members · established 1991

A South American trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

No UK agreement

USMCA

U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement

Trade Agreement · 3 members · established 2020

A trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada that replaced NAFTA.

No UK agreement

ASEAN

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Economic Union · 10 members · established 1967

A political and economic union of 10 Southeast Asian countries.

No UK agreement

RCEP

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

Trade Agreement · 15 members · established 2020

The world's largest trading bloc by GDP, comprising 15 Asia-Pacific nations.

No UK agreement

SAFTA

South Asia Free Trade Area

Free Trade Area · 7 members · established 2006

A preferential trading arrangement among South Asian countries.

No UK agreement

SAARC

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

Economic Union · 8 members · established 1985

A regional intergovernmental organisation promoting cooperation in South Asia.

No UK agreement

EU

European Union

Political/Economic Union · 27 members · established 1993

A political and economic union of 27 member states. The UK has a Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU.

UK agreement

EAEU

Eurasian Economic Union

Economic Union · 5 members · established 2015

An economic union of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

No UK agreement

CIS

Commonwealth of Independent States

Economic Union · 8 members · established 1991

A regional intergovernmental organisation of post-Soviet states.

No UK agreement

GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council

Economic Union · 6 members · established 1981

A political and economic alliance of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.

No UK agreement

CAEU

Council of Arab Economic Unity

Economic Union · 0 members · established 1964

An organisation of Arab states promoting economic integration.

No UK agreement