China surpassed the United States as Germany's largest trading partner in the first eight months of 2025, reversing last year's rankings as higher tariffs dampened German exports to the US, reported Reuters.

Preliminary data from the German statistics office showed bilateral trade with China reached EUR163.4 billion (US$190.7 billion) from January to August, slightly ahead of EUR162.8 billion with the US. Imports from China rose 8.3 per cent year-on-year, while exports to China dropped 13.5 per cent.

The US had overtaken China in 2024 after an eight-year run, as Berlin moved to reduce its dependence on Chinese trade, citing political tensions and accusing Beijing of unfair practices.

The trend reversed in 2025 following Donald Trump's return to the White House and the reintroduction of tariffs. German exports to the US fell 7.4 per cent in the first eight months to EUR99.6 billion. In August alone, exports to the US dropped 23.5 per cent year-on-year.