#trade-surplus

#trade-surplus

German exports have risen slightly despite ongoing global tensions linked to the Iran war, despite a drop in shipments to the United States. The Federal Statistical Office said exports for March increased 0.5% month on month and 1.9% year on year in adjusted terms. Imports have jumped more sharply, rising 5.1% from February and 7.2% compared with a year earlier. Germany recorded exports worth 135.8 billion against imports of 121.5 billion, leaving a trade surplus of 14.3 billion, down from 19.6 billion in February.

I recently spoke with Stephan Tanda, CEO of AptarGroup, a $3.7 billion-a-year manufacturer of specialized packaging and delivery systems for pharma, beauty, and consumer companies, based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He points out that China remains a key manufacturing hub with longstanding infrastructure and relationships that are central to the company's regional supply chain. What's more, he says the speed to market is an advantage that's hard to replicate in their other innovation centers around the world.

China's exports to the United States dropped sharply this year in the face of President Trump's tariffs but the country is still finding plenty of customers elsewhere around the world. Customs data on Monday showed the country's trade surplus for the year topped a trillion dollars for the first time. The all-time high came as China's overall exports in November were up 5.9% from a year ago, even as exports to the United States plunged by nearly 29%.