Germany reports stable H1 2026 trade amid shifting global markets

Germany's foreign trade served as a stabilizing factor for the national economy in the first half of 2026. Total exports rose by 3.9 percent to 817.8 billion euros, while imports increased by 4.7 percent to 712.1 billion euros, maintaining a trade surplus of 105.7 billion euros.

China remains Germany's most important overall trading partner with a total volume of 125.5 billion euros, followed by the United States at 123.7 billion euros. While China is the primary supplier of imports to Germany, the U.S. remains the leading destination for German exports, despite a 6.1 percent decline in goods sent to the American market due to tariff policies.

Specific industrial sectors showed mixed results. The electrical industry saw a significant export increase of 9.3 percent, reaching 138.5 billion euros, bolstered by strong demand within the EU. Conversely, the mechanical engineering sector faced challenges, with exports falling nominally by 0.8 percent to 99.3 billion euros, pressured by geopolitical tensions, U.S. tariff policies, and a nearly 14 percent drop in exports to China.