During the first nine months of 2025, German machinery exports – the home of many world leading agricultural machinery manufacturers – to the US fell by 9.4%, contributing to Germany’s overall machinery export decline of 3.1%.

This is according to the VDMA, the German association representing the interests of the European machinery and equipment manufacturers.

Exports to the US fell 9.4% over the period and 14.2% in the third quarter alone

ADVERTISEMENT

Since the implementation of US tariffs, followed by subsequent weak global investment, Germany exported goods worth €147.9bn, down 3.1% year-on-year. In the third quarter, global exports fell by 4.1% compared to the previous year.

Exports to the US fell 9.4% over the period and 14.2% in the third quarter alone.

The VDMA has urged EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefcovic to make it clear to US trade representatives that European machinery is a key driver of US production, reindustrialisation and exports. The association calls for EU machinery to be exempt from US steel, aluminum and other possible tariffs.

Currently, 40% of machinery exported from Germany and Europe to the US is affected by 50% special tariffs.

With the expansion of the list of machines affected by steel and aluminum tariffs planned for December, around 56% of machine exports would face a 50% tariff on the metal content, plus an additional 15% on the residual value.

Chinese exports

China, Germany’s second-largest market, continues to underperform, according to the VDMA.

Strong local competition has reduced demand for European capital goods. As result, German machinery exports to China were down 8.8% from January to September.

In the Eurozone, conditions are stabilising slightly. Exports for the first three quarters were just 1.1% below last year.

While order intakes increase, total German exports to the EU have fallen 2.2%.

Contrary to the expected impact on the Irish beef and poultry industries, Dr Tilmann Härtl of VDMA economics and statistics said: “[German] companies are interested in Mercosur, ASEAN and India to diversify markets. Reliable trade policy conditions and improved international competitiveness would be factors that support this development.”