Exports jumped more than expected

Despite a decline in shipments to the United States, German exports increased slightly despite global tensions related to the Iran war.

The Federal Statistics Office said exports for March rose 0.5% month on month and 1.9% year on year in adjusted terms.

Imports have jumped more sharply, rising 5.1% from February and 7.2% from a year earlier. Germany recorded exports of €135.8 billion against imports of €121.5 billion, leaving a trade surplus of €14.3 billion, down from €19.6 billion in February.

The US remains Germany’s most important export market, although shipments there have declined significantly. Exports to the US totaled €11.2 billion, down 7.9% from the previous month and 21.4% compared to March 2025. Exports to China also declined by 1.8%. Demand has shifted to the EU, where exports rose 3.4%, and the UK by 3.2%.

The Iran war has created uncertainty in Germany’s export-driven economy, with high oil prices driving up transportation costs. This has affected expectations of a strong recovery.

The government has cut its growth forecast for this year in half to 0.5%. Trade tensions have also resurfaced, with Donald Trump threatening new tariffs, raising the risk of a renewed EU-US trade dispute.

Germany’s exporters had bounced back from the start of the year with strong gains in February and a strong December leading to a recovery in 2025. However, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce now expects exports to remain flat in 2026 rather than grow by 1.0% as previously forecast.

good day From the DW newsroom in Bonn.

Join us as we report that German exports have been better than expected, even as sales in the United States have declined.

Meanwhile, one of Germany’s major banks has said it plans to cut jobs as it battles a takeover by an Italian rival.

Stay tuned here to know more about these stories and what Germany is talking about today.