Germany's Trade Deficit with China Hits €42.8 Billion in Early 2026
German-China Trade 2026: Imports Rise While Car Exports Plummet
Recent data from the Federal Statistical Office reveals shifting dynamics in the trade relationship between Germany and China during the first five months of 2026. China has firmly maintained its position as Germany’s most important trading partner for imports, reaching 72.4 billion euros between January and May—a 6.2% increase compared to the previous year.
At the same time, German exports to China fell by 14.5% to 29.6 billion euros, heavily impacted by a sharp 26.1% drop in motor vehicle exports and a 17.5% decline in machinery. This combination of rising imports and falling exports pushed Germany’s trade surplus with China up to 42.8 billion euros, compared to 33.5 billion euros during the same period in 2025.
The import data highlights a deep reliance on technology and green energy transition goods from China, which accounted for the vast majority of imported portable computers, smartphones, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic elements during this period. As these trends unfold, they point to significant structural changes in how the two industrial economies interact.