Germany’s trade surplus widened to €17.1 billion in December 2025, up from an upwardly revised €13.6 billion in November and surpassing market expectations of €14.1 billion. Exports rose 4.0% to a 20-month high of €133.3 billion, well above forecasts of a 1.0% increase, rebounding from a 2.5% fall in the previous month. Export growth was supported by stronger shipments to the EU and non-EU countries, with exports to the US, Germany’s largest market, which rose 8.9%. Outbound shipments also increased to China (10.7%), the UK (14.6%), and Russia (1.8%). Imports rose 1.4% to a 29-month high of €116.2 billion, exceeding expectations of a 0.2% increase, supported by higher purchases from both EU and non-EU countries, including the US (3.0%), China (4.1%), and Russia (6%). For the full year of 2025, Germany registered a trade surplus of €202.7 billion, with exports up just 1.0% while imports increased 4.4%.