Your Monday morning coffee briefing from TFG.

The UK’s post-pandemic recovery is weakening as inflation worries hit record highs, according to a new British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) survey.

Germany’s trade surplus has shrunk for four months straight as imports hit another record high.

The UK’s trade deficit with China more than tripled in one year thanks to COVID-19 lockdowns.

COVID-19 stalled the UK’s new car market in 2021, but record EV sales show where the industry is heading.

‘Straightforward and efficient’ – Tat Yeen Yap explores partial confirmations of letters of credit.

And UK government-backed trade shows helped British exporters secure over £70m in sales to South Korea in 2021

2021 – A Year in Review with Trade Finance Global

As the clock struck midnight, we looked back at over 700 articles, handpicking our favourite stories that made the headlines in 2021: from the collapse of Greensill, to the Suez Canal blockage, to COP26. Read more →

Stagflation: UK recovery weakening as inflation worries hit record highs, says new BCC survey

A new survey has found that the UK’s post-pandemic recovery is losing momentum, as inflation worries spread and business sentiment turns negative. Read more →

Germany’s trade surplus shrinks for 4 straight months as imports hit another record high

Germany’s trade surplus shrank for four consecutive months towards the end of 2021, as imports to Europe’s largest economy hit another record high. Read more →

UK trade deficit with China triples in one year thanks to COVID-19 lockdowns – report

The UK’s trade deficit with China has more than tripled after a year of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more →

COVID-19 stalls 2021 UK new car market, but record EV sales show future direction

New data show that 2021 was a record year for sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK, while sales of new petrol and diesel cars flatlined after a disastrous 2020. Read more →

‘Straightforward and efficient’ – Tat Yeen Yap explores partial confirmations of letters of credit

Although UCP 600 and ISBP 745 offer no specific provisions for partial confirmations of letters of credit (LCs), MonetaGo’s Tat Yeen Yap says they are not only possible, but are “straightforward and efficient”. Read more →

UK gov trade shows helped British exporters secure over £70m in sales to South Korea in 2021

UK exporters sealed over £70 million in sales to South Korea during 2021, with the help of trade shows backed by the UK government. Read more →