China loses spot as Germany's top trade partner after 8 years

U.S. takes over following Berlin's 'shift in priorities' on economic front

20250122N Hamburg port

A Chinese container carrier docks at a port in Hamburg, Germany.  © Reuters

TAKERO MINAMI

BERLIN -- China was no longer Germany's top trading partner for the first time in nearly a decade in 2024, as German auto-related exports declined amid competition with Chinese rivals.

The U.S. took over the top spot, according to an estimate by Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), which used 2024 trade data spanning January through November.

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