Germany’s Trade Surplus with the US Remains Substantial
Germany’s trade surplus with the United States has remained significant, with a surplus of nearly 75% in the first quarter of 2025. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), Germany’s exports to the US totalled 41.2 billion euros, while imports from the US stood at 23.5 billion euros.
The trade surplus with the US was the highest among all its trading partners in the first quarter of 2025, at 17.7 billion euros. This is a significant increase from the 16.7 billion euro surplus in the same period last year and also higher than the 12.8 billion euro surplus with France, the country with the second-largest trade surplus with Germany.
The automotive sector played a significant role in the trade surplus, with a surplus of 7.8 billion euros, mainly due to the export of passenger cars and automotive parts. The surplus in this sector was 2.6 billion euros for conventional gasoline-powered cars, 1.6 billion euros for electric cars and 0.9 billion euros for hybrid cars.
Germany also recorded a trade surplus in the pharmaceutical and similar products sector, with a surplus of 4.2 billion euros, mainly due to the export of pharmaceutical products. The US was the leading trading partner in this sector, with a significant gap in the ranking of trading partners.
The trade surplus was also significant in the machinery, equipment and mechanical devices sector, at 3.7 billion euros and in the electrical equipment sector, at 2.5 billion euros, with a notable contribution from the export of programmable control units and lithium-ion batteries.
In contrast, Germany recorded a trade deficit in the mineral fuels sector, including coal, oil and liquefied natural gas, with a deficit of 3 billion euros, mainly due to the import of oil and natural gas. The country’s trade deficit with the US in this sector was the highest, at 2.4 billion euros, with only Norway having a higher deficit at 6.3 billion euros.
Germany also recorded a trade deficit in the fruit and nut sector, at 400 million euros and in the seed and fruit sector, at 300 million euros, with the US being the main supplier of these products, including soybeans, pistachios and almonds.