Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-2-international-trade

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [BTEC](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec.md) › [Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business.md) › [Business: BTEC Level 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3.md) › International Trade

# International Trade

Business: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, topic 4.2.2

## Net trade

Net trade is the balance of exports and imports. This can be influenced by several factors. The balance of UK exports and imports have changed in the past few years.

### UK exports

![UK exports](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/memory-location-images/International%20Waters-min.jpg)

- In 2016, UK exports were valued at around £300bn. 
- The main exports in the UK were financial services, cars, wholesale medicines, gas turbines, petroleum and gold. 
- The leading recipients of UK exports are the USA, Germany, the Netherlands and France.

### Changes in UK exports

![Changes in UK exports](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/85f9f04c-eb5b-48f7-a39f-a8866b53dd10/5808335.jpg)

- Since 2000 the UK has decreased its share of exports to the EU from 55% to 45%, taking advantage of the rapid economic growth of countries such as Brazil, China, Russia and India. 
- As London grew as a financial hub from 2000-2008, there was an increase in financial services exported to the rest of the world. This slowed after the global financial crisis of 2008, but is still a major contributor to UK exports.

### UK imports

![UK imports](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/2a2f6306-c79e-48d7-a39a-21cc2dd11c94/shutterstock_272482886.jpg)

- In 2016, UK imports were valued at around £500bn. 
- The main imports were cars, vehicle parts, aircraft, gold, petroleum and wholesale medicines. 
- The leading suppliers of imports to the UK are Germany, China, the USA and the Netherlands.

### Changes in UK imports

![Changes in UK imports](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/ba0a3bae-c2e3-477c-9664-3a0594b25f4d/shutterstock_1040971324.jpg)

- Since 2000, over 50% of UK imports have come from the EU.
- The rapid growth of China as an exporter has meant that lots of UK imports now come from China. 
- The decline of the UK manufacturing industry has meant that we import more manufactured goods, including computers. 
- Between 1986 and 1998, the UK averaged a small trade deficit of around £5bn. This then grew until 2002, when it reached £30bn and has been roughly stable ever since.

## Test yourself on International Trade

- Which of the following are the leading imports into the UK economy (by total value)?
- What was the size of UK exports in 2016?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/f0389213-3369-45a4-8126-07b001bb9007/section/c858d842-829d-474d-a541-c816ac9ef3db/session)

- Previous topic: [4.2.1 Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-1-internationalisation.md)
- Next topic: [4.2.3 MNCS](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-3-mncs.md)

## Business: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma contents

### 1 Exploring Business
- 1.1 Features of Business Organisations
  - [1.1.1 Sole Traders & Partnerships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-1-sole-traders-and-partnerships.md)
  - [1.1.2 Private & Public Limited Companies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-2-private-and-public-limited-companies.md)
  - [1.1.3 Types of Liability & Not-For-Profits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-3-types-of-liability-and-not-for-profits.md)
  - [1.1.4 Purposes of Businesses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-4-purposes-of-businesses.md)
  - [1.1.5 Purposes of Businesses 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-5-purposes-of-businesses-2.md)
  - [1.1.6 The Different Economic Sectors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-6-the-different-economic-sectors.md)
  - [1.1.7 Multinational Companies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-7-multinational-companies.md)
  - [1.1.8 Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-8-stakeholders.md)
  - [1.1.9 Influence of Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-9-influence-of-stakeholders.md)
- 1.2 Organisation of Businesses
  - [1.2.1 Organisational Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-1-organisational-structure.md)
  - [1.2.2 Types of Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-2-types-of-organisational-structures.md)
  - [1.2.3 Business Aims & Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-3-business-aims-and-objectives.md)
  - [1.2.4 Business Aims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-4-business-aims.md)
  - [1.2.5 Business Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-5-business-objectives.md)
- 1.3 Business Environment
  - [1.3.1 External Influences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-1-external-influences.md)
  - [1.3.2 Political & Legal Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-2-political-and-legal-change.md)
  - [1.3.3 Economic Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-3-economic-environment.md)
  - [1.3.4 Social & Technological Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-4-social-and-technological-environment.md)
  - [1.3.5 Lifestyle & Technological Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-5-lifestyle-and-technological-environment.md)
  - [1.3.6 Corporate Social Responsibility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-6-corporate-social-responsibility.md)
  - [1.3.7 The Competitive Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-7-the-competitive-environment.md)
  - [1.3.8 Innovation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-8-innovation.md)
  - [1.3.9 Risk & Uncertainty](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-9-risk-and-uncertainty.md)
  - [1.3.10 Porter's Five Forces](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-10-porters-five-forces.md)
  - [1.3.11 SWOT Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-11-swot-analysis.md)

### 2 Marketing Campaigns
- 2.1 Marketing
  - [2.1.1 Setting Marketing Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-1-setting-marketing-objectives.md)
  - [2.1.2 Customer Needs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-2-customer-needs.md)
  - [2.1.3 The Market](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-3-the-market.md)
  - [2.1.4 Competition & The Market](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-4-competition-and-the-market.md)
  - [2.1.5 Consumer Behaviour](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-5-consumer-behaviour.md)
  - [2.1.6 Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-6-market-research.md)
  - [2.1.7 Forms of Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-7-forms-of-market-research.md)
  - [2.1.8 Market Segmentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-8-market-segmentation.md)
  - [2.1.9 Cultural & Social Factors in Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-9-cultural-and-social-factors-in-marketing.md)
  - [2.1.10 Promotional Decisions 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-10-promotional-decisions-3.md)
  - [2.1.11 Pricing Strategies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-11-pricing-strategies.md)
- 2.2 Marketing Mix
  - [2.2.1 Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-1-marketing-mix.md)
  - [2.2.2 Product Life Cycle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-2-product-life-cycle.md)
  - [2.2.3 Pricing Decisions & Price Skimming](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-3-pricing-decisions-and-price-skimming.md)
  - [2.2.4 Pricing Decisions & Price Penetration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-4-pricing-decisions-and-price-penetration.md)
  - [2.2.5 Promotional Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-5-promotional-decisions.md)
  - [2.2.6 Promotional Decisions 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-6-promotional-decisions-2.md)
  - [2.2.7 Promotional Decisions 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-7-promotional-decisions-3.md)
  - [2.2.8 Market Mapping](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-8-market-mapping.md)

### 3 Business Finance
- 3.1 Sources of Finance
  - [3.1.1 Internal Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-1-1-internal-finance.md)
  - [3.1.2 External Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-1-2-external-finance.md)
  - [3.1.3 External Finance 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-1-3-external-finance-2.md)
  - [3.1.4 Sources of Business Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-1-4-sources-of-business-finance.md)
- 3.2 Financial Planning
  - [3.2.1 Revenue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-1-revenue.md)
  - [3.2.2 Costs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-2-costs.md)
  - [3.2.3 Cash & Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-3-cash-and-cash-flow.md)
  - [3.2.4 Cash & Cash Flow 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-4-cash-and-cash-flow-2.md)
  - [3.2.5 Break-Even Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-5-break-even-analysis.md)
  - [3.2.6 Profits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-6-profits.md)
- 3.3 Financial Statements
  - [3.3.1 Balance Sheets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-3-1-balance-sheets.md)
  - [3.3.2 Income Statements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-3-2-income-statements.md)
  - [3.3.3 Liquidity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-3-3-liquidity.md)

### 4 International Business
- 4.1 Globalisation
  - [4.1.1 Growing Economies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-1-1-growing-economies.md)
  - [4.1.2 Specialisation & Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-1-2-specialisation-and-trade.md)
- 4.2 International Business
  - [4.2.1 Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-1-internationalisation.md)
  - [4.2.2 International Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-2-international-trade.md)
  - [4.2.3 MNCS](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-3-mncs.md)
  - [4.2.4 Conditions that Prompt Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-4-conditions-that-prompt-trade.md)
  - [4.2.5 Assessment of a Country](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-5-assessment-of-a-country.md)
- 4.3 International Economic Environment
  - [4.3.1 Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-1-globalisation.md)
  - [4.3.2 Factors Contributing to Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-2-factors-contributing-to-globalisation.md)
  - [4.3.3 Protectionism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-3-protectionism.md)
  - [4.3.4 The EU & the WTO](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-4-the-eu-and-the-wto.md)
  - [4.3.5 Trading Blocs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-5-trading-blocs.md)
- 4.4 Factors Affecting International Business
  - [4.4.1 Global Competitiveness](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-4-1-global-competitiveness.md)
  - [4.4.2 Ethics of Global Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-4-2-ethics-of-global-business.md)
  - [4.4.3 Controlling MNCs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-4-3-controlling-mncs.md)
  - [4.4.4 Cultural & Social Factors in Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-4-4-cultural-and-social-factors-in-marketing.md)

### 5 Principles of Management
- 5.1 Management & Leadership
  - [5.1.1 Managers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-1-1-managers.md)
  - [5.1.2 Management Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-1-2-management-theories.md)
  - [5.1.3 Managing Organisational Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-1-3-managing-organisational-culture.md)
  - [5.1.4 Management Style](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-1-4-management-style.md)
- 5.2 Theories of Motivation
  - [5.2.1 Motivating & Engaging Employees](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-1-motivating-and-engaging-employees.md)
  - [5.2.2 Taylor's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-2-taylors-theory.md)
  - [5.2.3 Mayo's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-3-mayos-theory.md)
  - [5.2.4 Maslow's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-4-maslows-theory.md)
  - [5.2.5 Herzberg's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-5-herzbergs-theory.md)
- 5.3 Managing Change
  - [5.3.1 Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-1-change.md)
  - [5.3.2 Key Factors in Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-2-key-factors-in-change.md)
  - [5.3.3 Scenario Planning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-3-scenario-planning.md)
  - [5.3.4 Managing Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-4-managing-change.md)
  - [5.3.5 Managing Strategic Implementation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-5-managing-strategic-implementation.md)

### 6 Business Decision Making
- 6.1 Business Principles & Practices
  - [6.1.1 Influences in External Environments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-1-influences-in-external-environments.md)
  - [6.1.2 Product Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-2-product-decisions.md)
  - [6.1.3 Competitive Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-3-competitive-environment.md)
  - [6.1.4 Corporate Strategy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-4-corporate-strategy.md)
  - [6.1.5 Quantitative Sales Forecasting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-5-quantitative-sales-forecasting.md)
  - [6.1.6 Legislation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-6-legislation.md)
- 6.2 Quality Management
  - [6.2.1 Importance of Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-2-1-importance-of-quality.md)
  - [6.2.2 Measuring Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-2-2-measuring-quality.md)
  - [6.2.3 Total Quality Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-2-3-total-quality-management.md)
  - [6.2.4 Evaluating TQM](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-2-4-evaluating-tqm.md)
- 6.3 Human Resources
  - [6.3.1 Contracts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-3-1-contracts.md)
  - [6.3.2 Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-3-2-recruitment.md)
  - [6.3.3 Training a Workforce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-3-3-training-a-workforce.md)
- 6.4 Documents & Business Decisions
  - [6.4.1 Sales Forecasts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-4-1-sales-forecasts.md)
  - [6.4.2 Managing Strategic Implementation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-4-2-managing-strategic-implementation.md)
  - [6.4.3 Problems with Strategy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-4-3-problems-with-strategy.md)
