German exports slow 2.3% in January as trade with China slumps

German exporters had a slow start to 2026, official data showed on Tuesday.

In January, German goods worth €130.5 billion ($152 billion) were sold worldwide, a decrease of 2.3% compared to the strong previous month of December, the Federal Statistical Office said.

Compared to the same month last year, exports increased by 0.6%.

There were significant declines in trade with Europe: Exports to EU countries shrank by 4.8% compared to December to €71.6 billion. In addition, exports to China slumped by around 13% to €6.3 billion.

By contrast, German companies achieved growth in their most important export country, the United States. Exports there rose sharply by 11.7% to €13.2 billion.

Goods worth €109.2 billion were imported into Germany in January. That was 5.9% less than in December and 4% less than a year earlier.

In 2025, German exports rose slightly for the first time in two years thanks to a strong December despite the tariff dispute with the US under President Donald Trump.

Although exports to the United States slumped, as did those to China, business with Europe grew strongly. The Foreign Trade Association (BGA) expects growth of 0.6% this year.

The mood in the industry had recently improved, with an export expectations barometer from the Munich-based ifo Institute rising into positive territory in February.

However, concerns about the German economy are growing as a result of the war in the Middle East, partly because higher oil prices are making the transport of goods more expensive. This is likely to strongly affect Germany as an export-based economy.