China-Germany Trade 2026: The Definitive Outlook

Total bilateral trade between the two nations peaked at $232.4 billion in 2021. Since then, the market has experienced a gradual contraction, settling at $199.8 billion in 2024. This reflects a 14% decrease from the five-year high, returning trade volumes to levels similar to those seen in 2020.

In 2024, China recorded a trade surplus, with exports reaching $105.1 billion against imports of $94.7 billion. This is a notable reversal from 2023, when imports ($106.1B) exceeded exports ($99.4B). The data shows that while imports have fluctuated significantly, export values have remained more stable over the last four years.

The market currently exhibits a growth rate of 1.1%. This indicates a period of marginal expansion and market consolidation. After the volatility observed between 2021 and 2023, this low positive growth suggests the trade relationship is finding a new baseline in the current economic climate.

China's export portfolio to Germany is heavily weighted toward high-tech electronics. Leading products in 2024 include iPhone components ($13.8B), electric accumulators ($13.5B), and hard drives ($10.3B). These top three categories represent the core of the trade flow, emphasizing Germany's reliance on Chinese manufacturing for consumer electronics and battery technology.