China overtakes US as Germany’s top trading partner

China has overtaken the US as Germany’s top trading partner, with trade reaching €251bn in 2025, up 2.2% on 2024 when the US was the leading destination. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is preparing for his first visit to Beijing since taking office; he will head to China on Tuesday and will be welcomed with military honours on Wednesday in Beijing by the prime minister, Li Qiang, before later meeting the president, Xi Jinping, for talks over dinner, his spokesperson Sebastian Hille said.

Germany imported about €170.6bn worth of goods from China in 2025, more than double the €81.3bn it exported to China. Trade with the US totalled €240bn, and Donald Trump’s controversial tariffs were cited as a partial factor in a 5% drop in trade. During the two-day trip Merz will visit the Forbidden City, the Chinese firm Unitree Robotics, Mercedes-Benz, Siemens Energy and the city of Hangzhou.

Germany, Beijing

china, united states, germany, trade, friedrich merz, xi jinping, li qiang, tariffs, imports, exports