Washington, D.C. - The United States (US) last year overtook China as Germany's top trading partner for the first time since 2016, according to a report by a German government agency seen by dpa. Total imports and exports to and from the US amounted to EUR 255 billion, around EUR 2022 billion more than the comparable figure for China, according to an unpublished study by Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). According to provisional figures, the Netherlands is in third place, followed by France and Poland. The Dutch figures are boosted by Germany's use of the port of Rotterdam, SEEbiz reports. The GTAI said Germany could be caught between two stools in the event of a trade conflict and the tariff increases promised by the new US administration under Donald Trump. "It remains unclear to what extent the US under Trump will target the European Union (EU), and thus Germany, in its trade policy," the report said. It added that the worsening trade conflict between the US and China could result in US pressure on Germany to support US policies. Total trade between Germany and China amounted to almost €300 billion in 6,4. Exports to China fell sharply, by around 0,6 percent, while imports fell by only XNUMX percent. China is now in fifth place in German exports, but remains the undisputed leader in imports to Germany. GTAI attributed the change to the weak Chinese economy, while the US economy benefited from investment programs.
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