Germany’s Top Trading Partners

by Eurasiain · Published February 23, 2025 · Updated April 3, 2025

Germany’s top trading partners in 2024 include the United States, China, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Austria, the UK, Belgium, Spain, and Switzerland.

Europe’s most powerful economy, the Federal Republic of Germany, is

the largest economy in Europe.
the 3rd largest economy worldwide.
the 3rd exporter & importer of goods.

Germany borders Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark by land; Sweden and the United Kingdom by sea.

Strategically located in Central Europe, Germany shipped $1.684 trillion of goods worldwide in 2024.

From a continental perspective, 67% of German goods exported went to fellow European countries and 17% to Asian buyers. Furthermore, it shipped another 12% and 2% of its exports to its key trading partners in North America and Latin America, respectively.

Germany’s exports to fellow European Union members equalled 55% of total German exports.

Since Germany has about 84.8 million people, $1.684 trillion in exports in 2024 is about $19,850 for everyone in the country.

Germany’s Top Exports 2024

The following export product groups represent the highest dollar value in German global exports in 2024.

Vehicles ($284.1 billion): Germany’s largest exports are cars, trucks, and automotive components, with major brands like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
Machinery ($271.5 billion): Germany exports industrial machinery, machine tools, and other crucial components of global manufacturing.
Electrical machinery and equipment ($180.6 billion): Germany exports electrical circuits, computers, and telecommunications equipment with German brands such as Siemens and Bosch.
Pharmaceuticals ($124.2 billion): Germany exports prescription drugs, vaccines, and other healthcare-related products. Significant companies like Bayer contribute significantly to this sector.
Optical, technical, and medical apparatus ($85.8 billion): Germany is a vital exporter of advanced, precision products, such as optical fibres, medical devices, and cameras.

Germany’s Main Industries

Automobile manufacturing, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, vehicles, defence, electronics & pharmaceuticals.

Trade Organizations

World Trade Organization: Supports multilateral trade negotiations, resolves trade disputes, and sets global trade rules.
European Union: Facilitates trade within the single market and negotiates trade agreements for all member states.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development: Promotes policies to improve economic and trade performance among developed economies.
Group of Seven (G7): Collaborates with advanced economies to address global trade and economic issues.
Group of Twenty (G20): Addresses global trade challenges, including economic growth, trade imbalances, and multilateral reforms.
Bilateral and Regional Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Germany benefits from several trade agreements negotiated by the European Union, including:
- EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
- EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.
- EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement.
European Free Trade Association: Trade agreements negotiated between the EU and EFTA countries (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein).