Key facts
- EU-U.S. goods trade hit a record €875 billion in the past year.
- EU exports to the U.S. increased by 7.7% to €580 billion.
- U.S. imports into the EU rose by 2.2% to €295 billion.
- The EU's trade surplus with the U.S. was nearly €285 billion.
- EU automotive exports to the U.S. fell 20.4% in 2025, impacting Germany significantly.
- Transatlantic services trade reached a record €865 billion, with the EU holding a €178 billion deficit.
The trade of goods between the European Union and the United States reached a record €875 billion ($1.00 trillion) last year, despite ongoing tariff pressures and political tensions. European Union exports to the United States increased by 7.7% to €580 billion, while U.S. imports into the EU climbed 2.2% to €295 billion, resulting in an EU trade surplus of nearly €285 billion.
However, a study by the German Economic Institute (IW) suggests that these headline figures mask significant damage in key sectors. Economist Samina Sultan noted that while the overall economic relationship might appear robust, certain sectors are suffering considerably, particularly the automotive industry. EU car and parts exports to the U.S. fell by 20.4% in 2025, with Germany, a major exporter, experiencing an 18.9% drop.
Ireland was an exception, with its exports surging by 52.7%, largely due to tariff-exempt pharmaceutical and chemical products. Transatlantic services trade also reached a record €865 billion, though the EU recorded a deficit of €178 billion in this category. Intellectual property fees, covering software licenses, patents, and trademarks, constituted over 40% of the EU's service imports from the U.S., showing a 13.7% increase.