High uncertainties in the course of the customs dispute have significantly slowed the EU exports to the United States in June. But other geopolitical crises also affected exporters.
In the course of the customs dispute with the USA, the European Union’s trade surplus has dropped significantly compared to its most important trading partner. In June he fell to 9.6 billion euros. This was announced by the EU statistics office Eurostat. A year ago, the EU had achieved 18.5 billion euros in surplus with the United States.
Europeans to the United States fell by 10.3 percent to 40.2 billion euros in June, while imports from the United States climbed by 16.4 percent to 30.6 billion euros.
In the run -up to the customs agreement made at the end of July, high tariffs from the United States unsettled exporters. Among other things, Washington had requested 27.5 percent inches to import cars and car parts from the EU. In the meantime, a customs rate applies to most EU products of 15 percent.
Strong headwind for exporters
But even if a trade war could be averted with the world’s largest economy, the new customs sets will also significantly burden the export -oriented economy – especially in Germany.
In addition, the numerous geopolitical conflicts beyond the customs problem braked the exports from Europe. In total, the EU countries generated an export surplus of eight billion euros in June – compared to 20.3 billion euros in June 2024 and 13 billion euros in May.
As a reason for shrinking the surplus of trade, Eurostat cited the decline in the excess of chemicals and related products. In the area of machines and vehicles, on the other hand, the surplus of trade rose slightly – especially here, manufacturers have managed to switch to other markets than the United States.
