China Reclaims Top Spot as Germany’s Leading Trading Partner

China has overtaken the United States as Germany’s top trading partner, with total trade reaching €251.8 billion, according to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. German imports from China increased, while exports to both China and the US declined, particularly in the automotive sector.

China has once again emerged as Germany’s most important trading partner, overtaking the United States, according to newly released figures from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis). The data, published on Friday, reflect a shift in Germany’s external trade landscape amid ongoing global economic adjustments and geopolitical tensions.
According to Destatis, the total volume of goods exchanged between Germany and China — including both exports and imports — reached €251.8 billion (approximately $296.6 billion) over the past year. This represents a 2.1% increase compared to the previous year, signaling a modest but notable strengthening of trade relations between the two economies. The combined trade turnover underscores the continued depth of economic interdependence between Germany, Europe’s largest economy, and China, the world’s second-largest economy.
China previously held the position of Germany’s leading trading partner from 2016 through 2023, a period marked by strong industrial cooperation and robust supply chain integration. In 2024, however, the United States briefly overtook China to claim the top spot. The latest data now indicate that China has reclaimed that position, reflecting shifting trade flows and evolving economic conditions.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to travel to China next week for high-level talks. Trade relations are expected to be central to the discussions, alongside broader economic cooperation, industrial policy, and geopolitical matters. The visit comes at a time when Germany is seeking to balance its economic ties with China while also addressing concerns about supply chain resilience, diversification, and strategic dependencies.
A closer look at the trade breakdown reveals that Germany imported goods worth €170.6 billion from China last year, marking an 8.8% increase compared to the previous year. This significant rise in imports contributed heavily to China’s return as Germany’s top trading partner. The majority of Chinese exports to Germany consisted of data processing equipment, electrical machinery, telecommunications technology, and other high-tech industrial goods. These categories highlight China’s central role in global manufacturing networks and Germany’s reliance on Chinese-produced components and technology inputs for its own industrial output.
In contrast, German exports to China totaled €81.3 billion over the same period, representing a 9.7% decline compared to the previous year. The drop suggests softer demand within the Chinese market for German-made products, which traditionally include automobiles, automotive parts, industrial machinery, chemicals, and premium consumer goods. Slower economic growth in China, along with domestic competition and changing market conditions, may have contributed to the decrease in German export performance.
Meanwhile, the United States ranked as Germany’s second-largest trading partner last year, with a total foreign trade turnover of €240.5 billion. This figure reflects a 5% decline compared to the year before, indicating a cooling of transatlantic trade activity.
German exports to the United States were particularly affected. Overall, German companies sold goods worth €146.2 billion to the US last year, a 9.4% drop compared to the previous 12 months. Among the sectors most heavily impacted were automobiles and automotive components, which experienced losses of 17.8%. The automotive industry, a cornerstone of Germany’s export-driven economy, faced mounting challenges due to tariff measures and evolving trade policies.
The decline in exports to the US followed the introduction of tariffs on imported goods by US President Donald Trump, measures that affected a broad range of trading partners, including Germany. The tariffs added cost pressures and uncertainty for German manufacturers operating in the American market, contributing to reduced trade volumes.
Overall, the latest trade data illustrate the shifting dynamics of Germany’s global economic relationships. While China’s resurgence as Germany’s top trading partner reflects strong import growth and sustained economic linkages, declining export figures to both China and the United States signal underlying challenges for German industry. The evolving trade patterns highlight the delicate balancing act Germany faces as it navigates economic cooperation, geopolitical realities, and efforts to diversify its international partnerships.