China has overtaken the United States as the European Union's (EU) main trading partner in the second quarter of 2021. The information is advanced by the Community Statistical Office (EUROSTAT). 

Between the first quarter of 2019 and the second quarter of 2021, the share of imports from China to the EU increased by 4%. In the same period, European exports to China increased by 1.5%, while those to the UK decreased by 3.2%.

EUROSTAT data indicate that the EU's trade 'surplus' decreased in the second quarter, from 46 billion euros to 29 billion between April and June.

EUROSTAT also noted that the Covid 19 pandemic is behind this drop. And in the case of the UK, the country's exit from the EU also had an influence. 

According to EUROSTAT the Covid 19 pandemic is behind this fall. And in the case of the UK, the country's exit from the EU has also had an influence.