EU main export market for most UK cities, says thinktank

British cities would need to dramatically increase trade with other markets to compensate for hard Brexit, says Centre for Cities

Almost every British city depends on the EU more than any other market for their exports, according to a new analysis that underscores the risks to the jobs and growth from a hard Brexit deal.

Research by the respected thinktank Centre for Cities found British cities would have to dramatically increase trade with other international markets to compensate for a downturn in exports to the EU once the UK leaves the bloc. Almost half, or 46%, of exports from urban centres go to the EU, compared with just 15% to the US and 4% to China.