EU trade with the Indo-Pacific region

Between 2011 and 2021, imports of goods from the Indo-Pacific region to the EU have grown considerably, more than exports, which also displayed a steady growth. Imports have increased from €515 billion in 2011 to €844 billion in 2021 (+64%), while exports grew from €407 billion to €583 billion in the same period (+44%). With extra-EU imports growing more than exports, the EU’s trade deficit with the Indo-Pacific region reached €261 billion, the highest value since 2011 (€109 billion). 

 Source dataset: DS-018995

The growth rates of imports and exports from the Indo-Pacific region in extra-EU trade dipped during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (-1% and -7%, respectively, in 2020 compared with 2019). However, they recovered in 2021 compared with 2020; +21% for imports and +13% for exports. 

In 2021, the Indo-Pacific region made up a significant share of all extra-EU imports (40%) and exports (27%). 

This news article is being published on the occasion of the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, being held tomorrow 29 November. The forum aims to provide a unique platform for experts and policymakers to discuss Europe’s role in the Indo-Pacific and bring the Indo-Pacific security debate to the European capital.