Frankfurt – China overtook the United States as Germany’s biggest trading partner in 2016, according to data provided by the Federal Statistics Office on Friday.
Imports and exports between the two countries totalled just below 170 billion euros (180 billion dollars), the data showed.
China also overtook France, which came in second at 167 billion euros, while the US was third at just below 165 billion euros.
China overtook the United States as Germany’s biggest trading partner in 2016, according to data provided by the Federal Statistics Office. Photo: Patrick Pleul/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
However, the US remained the top destination for German exports, which totalled 107 billion euros in 2016.
The figures are likely to fuel a debate about Germany’s trade surplus, which has come under fire from the administration of US President Donald Trump and others.
Critics say Germany should address the trade surplus – which hit 252.6 billion euros last year – by stimulating domestic demand and ramping up public investments.
The debate is expected to be a focus at a meeting of G20 finance ministers in the German town of Baden Baden next month.
-dpa
