World-class brands including Mercedez-Benz, BMW and Porsche help make Germany the largest economy in Europe with more exports than any other country on the planet.

Also known as Deutschland, Germany is the world’s number one exporter.

Germany is also the world leader in mechanical engineering.

Much of Germany’s exporting success comes from well-engineered luxury car exports. German automotive manufacturers include five of BusinessWeek’s top 100 global brands, namely: Mercedez-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche.

In 2007, Germany exported an estimated US$1.361 trillion worth of goods led by vehicles, machinery and chemicals. Topping the list of customers for German exports were France (9.7% of total exports), the United States (8.6%), the United Kingdom (7.3%), Italy (6.7%), Netherlands (6.2%), Belgium (5.5%), Austria (5.5%) and Spain (4.7%).

Germany imported about $1.121 trillion in commodities during 2006. Leading suppliers of German imports included the Netherlands (11.7% of total imports), France (8.7%), Belgium (7.6%), the U.K. (5.9%), China (5.9%), Italy (5.5%), the U.S. (5.1%), Austria (4.3%) and Russia (4%).

Germany’s international trade surplus was $240 billion in 2006.

German Trade Surplus with U.S.

A closer look at Germany’s trade statistics with the United States reveal that Germany ran up a significant trade surplus of $47.8 billion in 2006. The German trade surplus with America in 2006 was down 5.6% from 2005 but up 55.2% from 2002.

German Exports to U.S.

With a population of 82.4 million, Germany exported US$89.1 billion worth of merchandise to the United States in 2006, up 5.1% from 2005 and up 42.5% in 4 years.

1. New and used passenger cars …US$19.2 billion (21.6% of Germany to U.S. exports, down 5.3% from 2005)
2. Medicinal, dental and pharmaceutical preparations … $7.3 billion (8.2%, up 16.4%)
3. Other industrial machinery … $3.9 billion (4.4%, up 7.2%)
4. Other scientific, medical and hospital equipment … $3.8 billion (4.2%, up 10.1%)
5. Automotive parts and accessories … $3.7 billion (4.2%, up 1.9%)
6. Engines and engine parts … $2.8 billion (3.2%, up 14.2%)
7. Industrial compressors, engines, generators and pumps … $2.1 billion (2.3%, up 13.8%)
8. Pulp and paper machinery … $1.9 billion (2.1%, up 14.9%)
9. Electric apparatus and parts … $1.9 billion (2.1%, up 4.3%)
10. Measuring, testing and control instruments … $1.9 billion (2.1%, up 11.4%)

Fastest-Growing German Exports to U.S.

Below are American imports from Germany in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.

1. Precious metals other than gold … US$562.2 million (up 104% from 2005)
2. Railway transportation equipment … $82.4 million (up 95%)
3. Television receivers, DVDs and other video equipment … $79 million (up 86%)
4. Copper … $183.7 million (up 69%)
5. Drilling and oilfield equipment … $372.7 million (up 45%)

U.S. Exports to Germany

German imports from the U.S. rose 20.9% to $41.3 billion in 2006, up 55.2% since 2002.

Of American exports to Germany in 2006, the following product categories had the highest values.

1. New and used passenger cars … US$5.2 billion (12.6% of Germany from U.S. imports, up 40.5% from 2005)
2. Pharmaceutical preparations … $2.5 billion (6.2%, up 30%)
3. Medicinal equipment … $2.2 billion (5.4%, up 20.7%)
4. Civilian aircraft engines … $1.9 billion (4.5%, up 5.8%)
5. Computer accessories … $1.7 billion (4.1%, up 4.2%)
6. Civilian aircraft parts … $1.5 billion (3.6%, up 16.7%)
7. Other industrial machines … $1.3 billion (3.2%, up 15.5%)
8. Vehicle parts and accessories … $1.3 billion (3.2%, up 16.5%)
9. Other chemicals … $1.3 billion (3.2%, up 2.4%)
10. Measuring, testing and control instruments … $1.2 billion (2.8%, up 2.4%)

Fastest-Growing U.S. Exports to Germany

Below are American exports to Germany in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.

1. Fuel oil … US$139.5 million (up 62,744% from 2005)
2. Non-military spacecraft … $2.8 million (up 1,267%)
3. Natural gas liquids … $2.1 million (up 541%)
4. Coal … $40.1 million (up 512%)
5. Non-metallic minerals … $53.7 million (up 282%)

Sources for this Article

This article presents independent calculations and insights based on data drawn from the CIA World Factbook and the U.S. Census Bureau – Foreign Trade Statistics.