ISTANBUL

The UK's trade balance posted a deficit of £53 billion (some $66.5 billion) in 2023, the Office for National Statistics announced on Thursday.

The country's exports totaled £842.6 billion, up 4.6% year-on-year, while imports £895.6 billion in 2023, unchanged, the office said.

In the last quarter, exports dropped by 2.6% to £205.9 billion while imports increased by 0.3% to £220.8 billion, versus the third quarter.

For goods exports, the US was the main destination with £61.5 billion while Germany was the main import source with £73.85 billion in 2023.

Cars was the main item both in exports and imports of the country last year.