German Trade Surplus Narrows as Imports Grow

By Adam Whittaker

Germany's trade balance narrowed in July as import growth outpaced exports.

Trade balance, a measure of the difference between imports and exports, showed a surplus of 16.8 billion euros ($18.67 billion) in July. This was less than the 20.4 billion-euro surplus in June and below economists' expectations of 20.6 billion euros, according to forecasts compiled by The Wall Street Journal.

Exports rose 1.7% from June, according to Destatis, Germany's federal statistics agency. Economists had expected exports to rise less sharply. Significantly, imports rose 5.4% compared with June.

German manufacturing has been under pressure in recent months. A weak Chinese economy and growing trade tensions could continue to offer little respite for the export reliant German economy.

Write to Adam Whittaker at adam.whittaker@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 06, 2024 02:37 ET (06:37 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.