Baden-Württemberg Exports Rise, But Key Markets USA and China See Declines

The economy of Baden-Württemberg, a major industrial hub in Germany, saw its exports grow in the first half of 2026, but this expansion was not evenly distributed across its key trading partners. Preliminary figures indicate a 3.8% increase in exports, totaling almost 126.5 billion euros for the period from January to June.

Despite the overall positive trend, the growth rate softened in the second quarter. More concerning for the region's export-oriented economy is the significant decline in shipments to two of its most important markets: the United States and China. Exports to the U.S. fell by 4.7% to 15.5 billion euros, a trend partly influenced by U.S. import tariffs imposed in April 2025. China's share of Baden-Württemberg's exports dropped by nearly a fifth, to 5.7 billion euros, pushing it down to eighth place among the state's top buyers.

This export performance contrasts with a substantial rise in imports from China, which increased by 13.9% to around 11.5 billion euros, making China the largest source of foreign goods for the state. Meanwhile, major sectors within Baden-Württemberg experienced a decline in their export values. Shipments of cars and parts decreased by 4.2%, machinery exports fell by 1.4%, and pharmaceutical exports were down 6.5%. The only significant bright spot was the metal sector, which saw its export value surge by 46.3%. Other trading partners showed stronger performance, with exports to Switzerland up 18.2%, the UK up 28.2%, and France up 6.2%.