According to data released by Germany's Federal Statistical Office on the 19th, China was once again Germany's largest trading partner in the first three quarters of 2025.
The figures show that the total bilateral trade volume between Germany and China reached 185.9 billion euros during this period, a slight increase of 0.6% year-on-year. Specifically, Germany's exports to China totaled 61.4 billion euros, down 12.3% compared to the same period last year. In contrast, Germany's imports from China rose to 124.5 billion euros, marking an increase of 8.5%. Consequently, China maintained its position as Germany's largest source of imports by a significant margin.
China had previously been Germany's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years from 2016 to 2023. In 2024, the United States temporarily assumed the position as Germany's top trading partner.
The data also indicates that the total trade volume between Germany and the United States in the first three quarters of 2025 was 184.7 billion euros, a decrease of 3.9% year-on-year. German exports to the U.S. fell by 7.8% to 112.7 billion euros, while imports from the U.S. saw a modest increase of 2.8%, reaching 71.9 billion euros. The United States was the third largest source of imports for Germany.
Analysis suggests that the current structure of Germany's foreign trade is primarily being influenced by factors such as weak global demand, a complex international trade environment, and ongoing adjustments in traditional key industries like automotive.
