US replaces Britain as main export destination

THE US replaced Britain as our primary export destination for the first time last year, according to the latest official figures.

If taken in value terms rather than volume, then 21% of our exports ended up in the US against 16% in Britain.

The shift in the figures was described last night as dramatic by Davy chief economist of Robbie Kelleher. He predicted better times ahead for international trade as the global outlook continues to improve.