US Remains Top Destination for German Exports

BERLIN — The United States remains Germany’s largest export market, with €161.3 billion ($183.66 billion) worth of goods shipped across the Atlantic in 2024, according to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). This marks a 22-year high, with key exports including pharmaceuticals, machinery, and automobiles.

The US is particularly crucial for German pharmaceutical products, absorbing 23.8% of the nation’s pharma exports, valued at approximately €27 billion. Destatis highlighted that 34.4% of Germany’s immunological product exports, such as vaccines, also went to the US.

While Germany imported €91.5 billion in goods from the US, resulting in a €69.8 billion trade surplus, concerns remain over potential US tariffs. President Trump’s tariff policies, including a current 10% tariff on German exports and a possible 20% levy, pose significant challenges.

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“Tariffs on German exports to the US hit sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry and medical technology, vehicle construction and mechanical engineering particularly hard,” Destatis warned.

The looming tariffs come as Germany’s economy faces potential recession, adding further strain to the robust trade relationship.