Development of German foreign trade in 2000

In 2000, foreign trade in Germany continued its steep upward trend. Germany again ranked second after the USA and ahead of Japan in terms of world trade. Germany exported goods worth around DM 1167 billion and imported goods worth around DM 1064 billion. For the first time ever, both German exports and imports exceeded one trillion. In comparison with the previous year, exports increased by 17.0 % and imports by 21.7 %. The export surplus amounted to DM 109 billion. Also in 2000, the western industrialized countries were Germany's main trading partners. They accounted for 72.9 % of all imports and 77 % of all exports. Germany continues to maintain its closest trading ties with the other European countries. 54 % of German foreign trade (exports and imports) in 2000 was with countries of the European Union (EU), 42 % of which was accounted for by countries of the Euro zone. European countries outside the EU accounted for 18 %, Asian countries for 13 %, NAFTA states for 11 %, African and Latin American countries (without Mexico) both for 2 % and Australia and Oceania for 0.5 % of all German exports and imports. The export growth in 2000 was in particular due to a boost in the trade with the NAFTA (+ 19.4 %) and the European countries (+ 16.3 %). Also exports to Asian countries experienced major increases (China: + 35.3 %, Asean countries: + 28.5 % and Japan: +27.3 %).