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Operating as a single market with 27 countries, the EU is a major world trading power. EU economic policy focuses on creating jobs and boosting growth by making smarter use of financial resources, removing obstacles to investment and providing visibility and technical assistance to investment projects. In terms of the total value of all goods and services produced, EU gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019, when the UK was still part of the EU, was €16.4 trillion. Over 64 % of EU countries' total trade is done with other countries in the bloc. With just 6.9 % of the world's population, EU trade with the rest of the world accounts for some 15.6 % of global imports and exports. Together with the United States and China, the EU is one of the 3 largest global players in international trade. The EU countries had the second largest share of global imports and exports of goods in 2016. Their exports amounted to 15.6 % of the world's total, though in 2014 these were surpassed for the first time in the EU's existence by those of China (16.1 % in 2014, rising to 17.0 % in 2016). However, they remained ahead of the US (11.8 %). The US had a larger share of world imports (17.6 %) than either the EU countries (14.8 %) or China (12.4 %). The European Union is one of the most outward-oriented economies in the world. It is also the world’s largest single market area. Free trade among its members was one of the EU's founding principles, and it is committed to opening up world trade as well. From 1999 to 2010, EU foreign trade doubled and now accounts for over 30% of the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP). The EU is responsible for the trade policy of the member countries and negotiates agreements for them. Speaking as one voice, the EU carries more weight in international trade negotiations than each individual member would.The EU actively engages with countries or regional groupings to negotiate trade agreements. These agreements grant mutually-beneficial access to the markets of both the EU and the countries concerned. EU companies can grow their business, and can also more easily import the raw materials they use to make their products. Each agreement is unique and can include tariff reductions, rules on matters such as intellectual property or sustainable development, or clauses on human rights. The EU also gets input from the public, businesses, and non-government bodies when negotiating trade agreements or rules.The EU supports and defends EU industry and business by working to remove trade barriers so that European exporters gain fair conditions and access to other markets. At the same time, the EU supports foreign companies with practical information on how to access the EU market.The EU also works with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to help set global trade rules and remove obstacles to trade between WTO members.