China Edges Out US as Germany's Leading Trade Partner in First Quarter 2026
Germany's Trade Dynamics in Early 2026
Overview of Trade Figures
BERLIN, May 20 (Reuters) - China remained Germany's biggest trading partner in the first quarter of 2026, but only narrowly ahead of the United States as German exports to China fell sharply, according to new calculations.
The figures are based on calculations by Reuters and Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) using preliminary January-March data from the Federal Statistics Office.
Top Trading Partners
• Total trade in goods with China in the first quarter was €61.5 billion ($71.33 billion), ahead of €60 billion with the United States and €52.8 billion with the Netherlands. China only pushed past the United States as Germany's top trade partner in 2025.
Expert Insights and Future Outlook
• "Over the course of the year, the United States could move back ahead of China," GTAI expert Christina Otte said, referring to the small gap between the two countries.
Export and Import Trends
German Exports to China and the US
Decline in Exports to China
• German exports to China fell 12.5% to €18 billion in the first quarter, pushing China down to ninth place among buyers of German goods and risking a drop out of the top 10 this year, according to GTAI.
Exports to the United States
• Exports to the U.S. fell by 12% to about €36 billion. The United States remained the biggest market for German goods, ahead of France with €31.4 billion and the Netherlands with €29.1 billion.
Imports from China
• Imports from China rose 6.4% to €43.5 billion and could rise further, Otte said, for example if Chinese EV makers benefit from new subsidies in the German market.
Additional Information
($1 = 0.8621 euros)
(Reporting by Rene Wagner, writing by Kirsti KnolleEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
