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IPFS News Link • Business/ Commerce

China steams past U.S., France to be Germany's biggest trading partner

• reuters.com By Rene Wagner and Michael Nienaber

German imports from and exports to China rose to 170 billion euros ($180 billion) last year, Federal Statistics Office figures reviewed by Reuters showed.

The development is good news for the German government, which has made it a goal to safeguard global free trade after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on imports and his top adviser on trade accused Germany of exploiting a weak euro to boost exports.

German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has suggested that the European Union should refocus its economic policy toward Asia, should the Trump administration pursue protectionism.

"Given the protectionist plans of the new U.S. president one would expect that the trade ties between Germany and China will be further strengthened," said Anton Boerner, head of the BGA trade association.

The main reason for the reduced trade volume with the U.S. was a drop in American exports to Germany, Boerner added.


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