Euro Area Logs Widest Trade Gap Since 2023

2026-07-16 09:21 By Luisa Carvalho 1 min. read

The Euro Area posted a €7.8 billion trade deficit in May 2026, compared with a €15 billion surplus in May 2025 and worse than market expectations of a €1.6 billion gap.

This marked the largest monthly trade shortfall since April 2023, as exports of goods increased by just 0.1% to €243.6 billion, while imports jumped by 10% to €251.4 billion.

The latest figure represents a deterioration of nearly €23 billion from a year ago, primarily driven by a widening of the energy deficit to €30.3 billion from €21.9 billion in May 2025 and by reduced surpluses in machinery and vehicles (€4.4 billion from €12.4 billion), as well as in chemical and related products (€18.4 billion from €23.8 billion).

Among major partners, shipments to the US dropped 13.9%, with exports to China (-2.9%) and Turkey (-14.6%) also down.

Imports rose sharply from Brazil (25.4%), the US (17.8%) and the UK (13.7%).

Considering January-May 2026, the bloc's trade surplus shrank to €3.3 billion from €78.7 billion a year ago.



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Euro Area Logs Widest Trade Gap Since 2023
The Euro Area posted a €7.8 billion trade deficit in May 2026, compared with a €15 billion surplus in May 2025 and worse than market expectations of a €1.6 billion gap. This marked the largest monthly trade shortfall since April 2023, as exports of goods increased by just 0.1% to €243.6 billion, while imports jumped by 10% to €251.4 billion. The latest figure represents a deterioration of nearly €23 billion from a year ago, primarily driven by a widening of the energy deficit to €30.3 billion from €21.9 billion in May 2025 and by reduced surpluses in machinery and vehicles (€4.4 billion from €12.4 billion), as well as in chemical and related products (€18.4 billion from €23.8 billion). Among major partners, shipments to the US dropped 13.9%, with exports to China (-2.9%) and Turkey (-14.6%) also down. Imports rose sharply from Brazil (25.4%), the US (17.8%) and the UK (13.7%). Considering January-May 2026, the bloc's trade surplus shrank to €3.3 billion from €78.7 billion a year ago.
2026-07-16
Euro Area Trade Balance Swings to Deficit in April
The Euro Area recorded a €1.0 billion trade deficit in April 2026, compared with a €8.7 billion surplus in April 2025 and missing market expectations of a €7.8 billion surplus. Exports of goods increased by 5.0% to €255.4 billion, while imports rose faster, climbing 9.3% to €256.4 billion. The latest data represents a deterioration of €9.7 billion and marks a decline from the €4.9 billion surplus recorded in March 2026. The weaker balance was mainly driven by a widening energy deficit and a smaller surplus in the machinery and vehicles category. For the January to April 2026 period, the Euro Area posted a trade surplus of €12.9 billion, significantly below the €63.7 billion surplus recorded during the same period in 2025.
2026-06-15
Eurozone Trade Surplus Plunges in March as Exports Slump
The Eurozone’s trade surplus collapsed to €7.8 billion in March 2026, down from a record €34.1 billion a year earlier, as exports fell 5.5% to €265.3 billion. The decline follows last year’s peak, when US consumers rushed to boost foreign purchases ahead of tariffs introduced in April 2025. Exports declined sharply in chemicals (-31.9%), machinery and vehicles (-2.0%), and food and drink (-1.3%). Shipments to the US plunged 38.8%, while exports to China (-4.6%) and Turkey (-9.3%) also fell. Meanwhile, imports grew 4.4% to €257.4 billion, driven by higher purchases of fuels and lubricants (8.3%) and crude materials (5.8%) due to soaring energy costs tied to the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Imports of machinery and vehicles also climbed 6.8%. Nearly all major trade partners saw increased imports, led by Switzerland (11%), Norway (8.6%), Japan (8.9%), and Brazil (4.6%). For Q1 2026, the surplus shrank to €16.6 billion from €55.4 billion in the same period of 2025.
2026-05-19