Germany recorded a trade surplus of €17.7 billion with the United States in the first quarter of 2025, continuing a trend of annual export surpluses with the US that has continued for more than three decades.
According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), Germany exported goods worth €41.2 billion to the US in the first quarter of this year, and imported goods worth €23.5 billion.
Germany’s export surplus with the US was the highest of any European trading partner in the first quarter, with France ranking second with a surplus of €12.8 billion.
Motor vehicle exports
Motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts accounted for the largest share of Germany’s export surplus with the US – in this category, Germany recorded a surplus of €7.8 billion, based on exports of €9.1 billion and imports of €1.3 billion. Combustion engine vehicles accounted for a surplus of €2.6 billion, the data showed.
Germany’s export surplus in the motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts category increased in the first quarter compared to the same period a year ago, when the surplus totalled €6.2 billion.
Trade surplus
Other notable categories in which Germany operates a trade surplus with the US include pharmaceutical products and related goods, in which it operated a €4.2 billion surplus (based on €7.8 billion in exports and €3.6 billion in imports), machinery and mechanical appliances, with a surplus of €3.7 billion, and electrical goods, with a surplus of €2.5 billion.
Germany recorded a trade deficit with the United States in categories such as mineral fuels, including coal, crude oil, and liquefied natural gas. Additional trade deficits with the United States were noted in fruit and nuts, particularly soybeans, pistachios, and almonds.
Germany has maintained an annual trade surplus with the United States since 1991. Read more here.
