The Countries of the EU Are Exporting Much Less Not Only to the USA

Shrinking Trade The Countries of the EU Are Exporting Much Less Not Only to the USA

2026-06-01 Source: dpa | Translated by KI 1 min Reading Time

In the first quarter of the year, EU countries delivered 30.4 percent less goods to the United States, as determined by Eurostat. However, reduced exports are currently a trend ...

The statistics office Eurostat took a look at how exports and imports with regard to EU countries fared in the first quarter of 2026...(Image: F. Schneidler) — The statistics office Eurostat took a look at how exports and imports with regard to EU countries fared in the first quarter of 2026...
(Image: F. Schneidler)

Although EU countries delivered over 30 percent less to the USA, the North American country remained the most important export destination with a share of 18.6 percent of all exports—despite the tariff dispute! Next comes the United Kingdom with 13.8 percent, valued at 88.7 billion euros. The third largest sales market is Switzerland, but no figures were provided by Eurostat. This is also evident from the latest figures from the statistical office Eurostat. Furthermore, it is reported that the EU exported goods worth 119.4 billion euros to the United States between January and March 2026. However, exports to other countries have also decreased accordingly.

Imports into the EU also Declined

Exports to Turkey decreased by 8.2 percent and to China by 7.9 percent. Overall, the EU exported goods worth 640.5 billion euros to countries outside the Union. Compared to the previous year's quarter, exports decreased by 8.8 percent according to Eurostat. However, not only exports declined, but imports also decreased in the first quarter of the year. Goods worth 627.8 billion euros were imported (down 3.3 percent), the analysis reveals. Imports from Turkey fell by 7.5 percent, from the USA by 5.7 percent, and from the United Kingdom by 3.4 percent. With a share of 23.1 percent of all imports, China was the EU’s most important supplier at 145.3 billion euros, followed by the USA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Turkey.

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