Beijing, February 22 – In a significant shift in global trade dynamics, China has once again emerged as Germany’s primary trading partner in 2025, according to fresh data from the Federal Statistical Office released on February 20. The total trade volume between the two nations reached an impressive 251.8 billion euros, underscoring Beijing’s enduring economic pull on Europe’s industrial powerhouse.
This marks a year-over-year increase of 2.1% in bilateral goods trade, highlighting resilience amid global uncertainties. China has maintained its position as Germany’s top import source since 2015, with imports surging to 170.6 billion euros last year. In contrast, German exports to China stood at 81.3 billion euros, reflecting a substantial trade imbalance that favors the Asian giant.
The resurgence comes at a time when transatlantic ties are strained. US tariff policies and ongoing trade disputes have taken a toll on Germany-US commerce, which totaled 240.5 billion euros in 2025—a sharp 5.0% decline from the previous year. German exports to the United States plummeted by 9.4% to 146.2 billion euros, signaling deepening cracks in this once-robust partnership.
For German manufacturers heavily reliant on the Chinese market, this development offers both opportunities and challenges. Automakers, machinery producers, and chemical firms continue to find China indispensable, even as calls grow for supply chain diversification. Economists warn that overdependence could expose Germany to geopolitical risks, yet the numbers speak volumes about the mutual economic interdependence.
As Europe navigates protectionism from across the Atlantic, China’s steady rise reaffirms its pivotal role in German economic strategy. The data not only reshapes trade rankings but also prompts a broader reflection on the future of globalization in an era of rising tensions.