BERLIN (DPA, CONVERSEER) – German exports to the United States grew for the first time in six months in September, official figures showed on Friday, in a sign that trading is adjusting to new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Goods exported to the United States by German companies in September totalled €12.2 billion ($14.1 billion), the federal statistical office said.
After seasonal and calendar adjustment, this was an increase of 11.9% compared to August, according to the agency.
But compared to the same month last year, German exports to the US were down 14%, reflecting the impact of the slew of tariffs successively imposed by President Donald Trump since taking office for a second term in January.
Currently, a 15% baseline tariff applies on EU exports to the US, with further levies charged on a number of goods that are vital for Germany’s export-driven economy, including steel and aluminium.
Positive month for German traders
German exports grew as a whole in September, up by 1.4% month-on-month after seasonal and calendar adjustment.
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While the value of exported goods stood at €131.1 billion, imports totalled €115.9 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of €15.3 billion, down from €16.9 billion in August.
Compared to September last year, exports rose by 2%, mostly due to increased trade with European nations, and imports were up by 4.8%
Exports to China fell by 2.2% to €6.7 billion.
The German economy, which depends heavily on exports, is reeling from two consecutive years of recession.
For this year, leading economists expect Europe’s biggest economy to see marginal growth at best.
