Germany's Trade Deficit with China Widens Significantly in First Half of 2026

Germany's trade deficit with China expanded to approximately €55 billion in the first half of 2026, according to preliminary data from Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). This widening deficit is attributed to a more than 12% year-on-year decrease in German exports to China, while German imports from China increased by 8.9%. The shift reflects China's growing emphasis on domestic value chains and reduced reliance on European imports, posing challenges for German manufacturing amidst global trade dynamics.