article_snippet.sent: But the gap has been closing in recent years as the crisis in weak eurozone has hit demand for British-made goods and UK firms looked further afield for business.
article_snippet.sent: However, Britain's trade deficit with the EU the difference between exports and imports – widened to £21.1billion in the three months to February.
article_snippet.sent: The ONS said The ONS was the biggest trade gap since records began in 1998 and 'mainly' reflected the slump in exports – with demand from the crisis-torn eurozone particularly weak.
article_snippet.sent: Allie Renison, head of trade policy at the Institute of Directors, said: 'Our trade deficit in goods with the EU continues to widen, reflecting weak demand caused by prolonged stagnation in the crisis-torn eurozone.