Eric, I think you are missing the point a little on this. If we already have a high export rate to Germany and France all these figures are saying is that the rate of increase is not as high as other countries. For example, if in 2001 we were exporting £100 billion to Germany As a rule of thumb exports in 2008 to Germany would be 125 billion based on a 2.5% annual growth rate. It is still a very big number.
What most of this anti EU group forget to mention is what the impact on our economy will be. Withdrawal from the EU will results in tariffs being applied and this will drive prices up. We become uncompetitive and lose market share. The eurosceptic will tell us that there are other markets we can export to. We may find other markets but not enough to take up the slack. Remember in the mid 70s we dumped the commonwealth countries as major trading partners. These have found alternative marketsand are unlikely to want to trade with us again. Europe is the biggest trading block in the world.
How long will major internationals like Nissan, Honda and Toyota continue to operate from the UK. They will want to move their operations to within the EU.Lots of cheap labour is available in eastern Europe.Business does not like uncertainty. America, the great economy of the world, is more protectionist than most. China is a very difficult market to try and break into. They work like the Japanese in the 70s, take what is being produced and copy it to make it better and make it more cheaply.