Between 2000 and 2007, EU27 exports and imports of goods to the 16 Asian countries taking part in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) grew by around 60%: exports rose from 146 billion euro to 228 bn, while imports increased from € 285 billion to € 459 billion. The EU27 deficit in trade with the ASEM partners grew from 139 bn in 2000 to 231 bn in 2007. The ASEM partners accounted for more than a quarter of the EU27's total external trade in goods in 2007: 18% of exports and 32% of imports. EU27 trade with the ASEM partners showed very different patterns between 2000 and 2007. Trade with China trebled in value over this period, while trade with Japan actually fell in value. Significant increases were also recorded in EU27 trade with India and Vietnam , which both more than doubled in value. On the occasion of the seventh ASEM Summit, which will take place on 24 and 25 October 2008 in Beijing , Eurosta, issues data on trade in goods between the 27 Member States of the EU and the 16 Asian countries taking part in ASEM.
