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What would a British exit from the European Union, or "Brexit", look like?

Factbox on Brexit

Read an outline of the process which would be triggered by "Brexit" and some of the possible options suggested for the UK's future relationship with the European Union.

Business • 18 Feb 16

Chinaese exports in December fell 1.4% from a year earlier - much less than expected

China's exports & imports fall less than expected

China's total trade in December shrank much less than expected, but still likely consigned the economy to its weakest annual growth in 25 years, new figures show.

Business • 13 Jan 16

Businesses in the capital expecting best trade in eight years

Retailers expecting strong Christmas sales

A new survey shows there is a sharp divide in Christmas shopping between Dublin and the rest of the country, with strong trade in the capital but weak business in provincial shops.

News • 19 Dec 15

The UK economy grew 0.5% in the third quarter, the Office for National Statistics said today

UK Q3 economic growth slowdown confirmed

Britain's economy slowed in the three months to September, official data confirmed today, as trade posed the biggest drag on quarterly growth on record against the backdrop of a slowing global economy.

Business • 27 Nov 15

US exports increased 1.6% in September to $187.9 billion

US trade gap narrows sharply in September

The US trade deficit narrowed more sharply than expected in September as imports shrank amid slowing growth in the US and global economy.

Business • 04 Nov 15

German seasonally-adjusted exports slide by 5.2% to €97.7 billion

German exports plunge at fastest pace since crisis

German exports plunged by their largest amount since the height of the global financial crisis in early 2009, new figures show.

Business • 08 Oct 15

The trade deal will be seen as a key part of Barack Obama's legacy if passed by US legislators

Trans-Pacific trade deal agreed

Pacific trade ministers have reached a deal on the most sweeping trade liberalisation pact in a generation that will cut trade barriers and set common standards for 12 countries.

Business • 06 Oct 15

German exports and imports hit new record highs in July

German exports and imports hit record highs

German exports and imports hit record highs in value terms in July, new figures show today.

Business • 08 Sep 15

China's exports fell 5.5% year-on-year to $196.9 billion in August

China's August exports fall less than forecast

Chinese exports fell again in August, official data showed today, but the drop was less than forecast and an improvement from the previous month.

Business • 08 Sep 15

The strong dollar was making it more attractive for food and car companies to import into the US market

US trade deficit widened to $43.8bn in July

The US trade deficit widened more than expected in June as an acceleration in domestic demand in the second quarter and a strong dollar sucked in imports of food and automobiles.

Business • 05 Aug 15

'Ireland Day' celebrated at London Stock Exchange today

'Ireland Day' promotes UK and Irish trade ties

Irish and UK business leaders opened trading at the London Stock Exchange today, as Ireland INC hosted its third annual 'Ireland Day'.

Business • 09 Jun 15

Euro zone Q1 GDP rose 0.4% quarter-on-quarter for a 1% year-on-year gain

Household demand drives Q1 euro zone growth

Household demand and investment were the two biggest contributors to economic growth in the euro zone in the first quarter, data showed today.

Business • 10 Jun 15

There have been fears in Europe that large US companies would use arbitration to bully governments and challenge EU laws

EU lawmakers back key US trade deal demand

European lawmakers have supported including investor arbitration in a free-trade deal with the United States, a breakthrough on one of the biggest obstacles to a transatlantic accord.

Business • 28 May 15

China's exports unexpectedly fell by 6.4% in April

China's exports unexpectedly contract in April

China's exports unexpectedly fell 6.4% in April from a year earlier, while imports tumbled by a deeper-than-forecast 16.2%.

Business • 08 May 15

The now-settled labour dispute at the West Coast ports appears to have slowed the flow of imports and exports

US trade deficit fell sharply in February

The US trade deficit in February fell sharply to its lowest level since 2009, likely as a labour dispute at one of the country's main ports depressed both imports and exports.

Business • 02 Apr 15

The report says a TTIP deal would increase the size of the Irish economy by just over 1%

Report finds TTIP would aid Irish economic growth

A report on the impact in Ireland of the proposed trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, known as TTIP, says it would add to economic growth, employment and investment, as well as trade.

News • 27 Mar 15

Talks on a wide-ranging trade deal between the EU and US have been ongoing for more than a year and a half

EU hopes for 'skeleton' US trade deal by December

The EU has said it hopes the "skeleton" of a massive but controversial free trade deal with the United States will be ready by the end of this year, lowering sights set at a summit last month.

Business • 07 Jan 15

The US trade gap narrowed to $39bn - the smallest in a year

US trade deficit hit eleven month low in November

The US trade deficit fell to an eleven-month low in November as declining crude oil prices curbed the import bill, eclipsing a drop in exports that could be related to a labour dispute at one of the nation's key ports.

Business • 07 Jan 15

Austrian President Dr Heinz Fischer attended today's Irish Austrian Business Forum today

Business people willing to bet on Ireland: Fischer

Austrian President Heinz Fischer has predicted that now that the financial crisis is behind Ireland, the country's trade levels will improve.

Business • 07 Oct 14

The euro zone's non-seasonally adjusted external trade surplus rose to €21.2 billion in July

Euro zone trade surplus rises on growing exports

The euro zone's trade surplus rose year-on-year in July as exports grew faster than imports, new figures show today.

Business • 15 Sep 14

There was a surge in exports during the month, particularly in the country's car industry

US trade deficit narrowed further in May

The US trade deficit narrowed a bit more than expected in May as exports jumped to a record high, suggesting trade could be less of a drag on second quarter growth than earlier feared.

Business • 03 Jul 14

Ildefonso Guajardo said he would like to see Irish businesses use Mexico as a base for North American growth

Ireland, Mexico should be 'natural' trade partners

Ireland and Mexico should be natural business partners as both promote themselves as “gateways” to their larger single markets – the European Union and the North American Free Trade Agreement, according to Mexico’s economy minister.

Business • 02 May 14

The euro zone's foreign trade surplus was €13.6bn in February, according to Eurostat

Euro zone trade surplus widened in February

The euro zone's trade surplus widened in February from a year earlier on rising exports with imports unchanged, the European Union's statistics office Eurostat has said.

Business • 15 Apr 14

Singapore Airshow is Asia's largest aerospace and defence event and one of the world's most important

First joint ministerial trade mission to Asia

Government ministers from Dublin, London and Stormont are to take part in their first international joint trade mission to Singapore early next month.

News • 21 Jan 14

An elderly woman kneels before a line of riot police

Ukrainian PM says no deal finalised with Russia

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said a deal with Russia on possible new financial credits after suspending preparations for a European Union trade pact has not been finalised.

News • 12 Dec 13