【环球财经】从德国最大贸易伙伴更替看美关税冲击

Group 1 - The latest data from the German Federal Statistical Office indicates that the United States is no longer Germany's largest trading partner as of the first eight months of 2025, with China taking its place. This shift is closely related to the U.S. imposing tariffs and increasing trade barriers, reflecting the impact of protectionist measures on U.S.-EU economic ties [1] - From January to August this year, Germany's exports to the U.S. amounted to €101 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 6.5%. In August alone, exports were €10.9 billion, a month-on-month decline of 2.5% and a year-on-year drop of 20.1%, marking the lowest level since November 2021 [1] - In contrast, trade between Germany and China showed resilience, with total bilateral trade reaching €166.3 billion in the first eight months of this year [1] Group 2 - A survey by the German Chamber of Commerce reveals that over half of the surveyed companies plan to reduce trade with the U.S. due to the uncertainty caused by U.S. tariff policies, with about a quarter of companies indicating plans to suspend or cancel investments in the U.S. [2] - The automotive and parts industry, a major source of Germany's trade surplus with the U.S., has been significantly impacted since the U.S. imposed tariffs on imported cars and related goods in April this year, leading to continuous pressure on German exports [2] - According to a report by consulting firm Ernst & Young, approximately 51,500 jobs in the German automotive sector have been lost over the past year, representing nearly 7% of total jobs in the industry, making it the most severely affected sector [2] Group 3 - The number of corporate bankruptcies in Germany reached its highest level in 12 years in July, with expectations that over 22,000 companies will file for bankruptcy this year, averaging more than 60 companies per day [3] - The President of the German Central Bank, Joachim Nagel, stated that U.S. tariffs and policy uncertainty are suppressing Germany's economic growth, particularly impacting the industrial sector during a critical adjustment period [3] - The Munich Institute for Economic Research predicts that due to the ongoing effects of U.S. tariff policies, Germany's economy is expected to grow by only 0.2% in 2025 [3]