China becomes Germany's most important trading partner for the first time

In 2016, China became Germany's top trading partner for the first time. Imports and exports between the two countries amounted to around 170 billion euros, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office.

In second place is France with a good turnover of 167 billion euros. The United States, which so far was number one, fell to third place from almost 165 billion euros. “Given the protectionist plans of the new US president, trade relations between Germany and China can be expected to expand in the future,” said a spokesman for the BGA. Following the freeze on the transatlantic FTA TTIP negotiations, EU trade policy is now heavily focused on Asia.

However, the United States remains the largest export client of the German economy. There were sold goods worth almost 107 billion euros. This is followed by France in second place with about 101 billion euros. The neighboring country was non-stop from 1961 to 2014 as the largest buyer of "Made in Germany" goods, and it was only in 2015 that the United States inherited this role. The United Kingdom ranks third with 86 billion euros.

The largest surplus of Germany's trade balance was provided by Great Britain: exports exceeded imports by more than 50 billion euros; further, the United States with 49 billion euros; it is followed by France with almost 36 billion euros. Overall, Germany gained more than a quarter of a billion euros in 2016 with a trade surplus. Criticism of this fact comes from the new US President Donald Trump: his economic adviser accuses Germany, China and other countries of manipulating currency to the detriment of the United States. In addition, countermeasures such as penalties were introduced into the game.