In 2019, the trade in goods balance of the European Union of 27 Member States (EU) was in surplus by €197 billion, a significant increase with respect to 2018 (+€152 bn). Looking at the trend over time, after recording a small deficit between 2009 and 2011, the EU trade balance recorded a continuous surplus that peaked at €264 billion in 2016, and then decreased in 2017 and 2018.