Eng
China overtook the U.S. as Germany's largest trading partner in the first eight months of 2025, regaining the top spot as higher tariffs weighed on German exports to the United States, preliminary data from the German statistics office showed.
German imports and exports with China totalled 163.4 billion euros ($190.7 billion) from January to August, while trade with the U.S. amounted to 162.8 billion euros, according to Reuters calculations.
The U.S. was Germany’s top trading partner in 2024, ending an eight-year streak for China. The shift came as Germany sought to reduce its reliance on China, with Berlin citing political differences and accusing Beijing of unfair practices.
Trade dynamics shifted again this year, however, with Donald Trump’s return to the White House and renewed tariffs. Tariffs have pushed down German exports to the United States, which fell 7.4% in the first eight months of the year compared with 2024 to 99.6 billion euros. In August, exports to the U.S. fell 23.5% year-on-year, showing that the trend is accelerating.
By contrast, imports from China rose 8.3% to 108.8 billion euros.
Source: reuters.com