Overview

• IW researchers report the EU supplies over half of U.S. imports in 3,120 product groups worth about $290 billion, compared with China’s 2,925 groups totaling roughly $247 billion.
• U.S. dependence on EU goods has climbed since 2010, with the value of imports from the bloc up around 150%, led by chemicals, machinery, devices, electrotechnical goods and base metals.
• U.S. trade measures now in force include a 15% tariff on most EU goods since August 7 and a 50% rate on steel and aluminum introduced earlier in June.
• Destatis data show Germany’s January–July 2025 trade surplus with the U.S. fell 15.1% to €34.6 billion, the lowest for the period since 2021, as exports to the U.S. dropped 5.3% and imports rose 2.2%.
• An Allianz Trade study finds many U.S. retailers and wholesalers raised prices beyond import cost increases, lifting margins to 3.7% from 1.8% for wholesalers and to 4.6% from 3.5% for grocers, so consumers and many foreign exporters absorb most tariff costs.