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German imports and exports to the world's largest economy
totaled around 127 billion euros ($139 billion) from January to
June, while for China the figure was 122 billion euros,
according to Reuters' calculations based on the data.
The U.S. had already overtaken China in the first quarter, after
2023 was the eighth year in a row that China remained Germany's
number one partner, by a few hundred millions.
The shift comes as Germany has said it wants to shrink its
exposure to China, citing political differences and accusing
Beijing of "unfair practices", though it has been vague on
policy steps.
Lola Machleid, foreign trade expert at the German Chamber of
Industry and Commerce (DIHK), told Reuters that the resilience
of the U.S. economy had helped to boost Germany's exports.
Overall, German exports to the U.S. increased by 3.3% to almost
81 billion euros in the six months, while business with China
shrank by almost 3% to just over 48 billion euros.
Imports from China fell by almost 8% to 73.5 billion euros,
while U.S. imports fell 3.4% to 46.1 billion euros, supported by
supplies of energy commodities.
"In view of the current geopolitical uncertainties and the
uncertain further economic development, not only in the U.S. and
China, but also here in Germany, it is difficult to predict how
the neck-and-neck race will continue to develop," said Machleid.
($1 = 0.9158 euros)
(Reporting by Rene Wagner; Writing by Miranda Murray; Editing by
Mark Potter)
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