China reclaims Germany's top trading partner position from US in 2025

By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - China, one of Germany's most important trading partners, reclaimed its top spot from the US last year, the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) announced Friday.

Total trade turnover (exports + imports) in goods between Germany and China rose 2.1% to €251.8 billion ($296.2 billion) in 2025. However, the value of goods exported from Germany to China dropped 9.7% to €81.3 billion ($95.7 billion).

During the same period, the total trade volume between Germany and the US fell 5% to €240.5 billion ($283 billion), making China Germany's most important trading partner in 2025, with a difference of €11.3 billion ($13 billion).

The Netherlands ranked as Germany's third-largest trading partner with exports and imports totaling €209.1 billion ($246 billion).

In 2023, China was Germany's most important trading partner for the eighth consecutive year. However, in 2024, the US surpassed China.

Despite the high tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, the US maintained its position as the most important buyer of German exports last year.

Last year, Germany's exports to the US fell 9.4% compared to the previous year, falling to €146.2 billion ($172 billion).

France, with €117.4 billion ($137.7 billion), and the Netherlands, with €112.5 billion ($132 billion), were again the second and third most important buyers of German goods last year.

Imports from China increased by 8.8% to €170 billion ($200 billion), while imports from the US expanded by 2.7% to €94.3 billion ($111 billion).

Berlin's trade deficit with China was up by €22.4 billion ($26 billion) in 2025, reaching €89.3 billion ($105 billion), due to the increase in imports and the decrease in exports.

Following China on the list of Germany's most important suppliers were the Netherlands with €96.7 billion and the US with €94.3 billion.