Britain losing trade links with Germany as Brexit bites deeper

For the first time since 1950, it's no longer among Germany's top 10 trading partners as first-half exports plummet 11%

British prime minister Boris Johnson with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2019 in the throes of the UK's chaotic exit from the single market. File picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Britain is on course to lose its status as one of Germany's top ten trading partners this year for the first time since 1950, as Brexit-related trade barriers drive firms in Europe's largest economy to look for business elsewhere.

In the first six months of this year, German imports from Britain sank nearly 11% year-on-year to €16.1bn.