Germany's trade surplus with the United States declined sharply in the first seven months of 2025, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). From January to July, the export surplus fell to €34.6 billion, marking the lowest level recorded for this period since 2021.
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The decline represents a reduction of €6.2 billion, or 15.1%, compared with the same period in 2024. By contrast, during the Covid-19 crisis, Germany's trade balance with the US stood at €28.4 billion, highlighting the long-term fluctuations in transatlantic trade flows.
Germany's overall export surplus in international trade also contracted significantly, decreasing by €32.7 billion, or 21.2%, to €121.3 billion for the January–July 2025 period. Meanwhile, imports from China continued to rise, resulting in an import surplus of €47.7 billion, the highest since 2022.
These figures reflect ongoing adjustments in global trade patterns, as German exporters face both slowing demand in key markets and shifting international supply chain dynamics. Destatis notes that detailed results are available in the GENESIS-Online database, with selected tables provided on the Federal Statistical Office's "Foreign trade" webpage.
The report highlights the challenges for German industry in maintaining export momentum, particularly in high-value sectors traditionally oriented towards the US market. Analysts suggest that European businesses will need to navigate these fluctuations carefully, balancing exposure to key international partners while monitoring evolving trade policies and global economic conditions.
More information:
Destatis
www.destatis.de
