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in Central Asia as well, bolstering a position that may see path may however prove rocky—and not due to its relative
weaker phases with more time-honoured individual markets. inaccessibility within a ring of mountains or its extreme
Overall, the German export position in broader European continental climate of harsh winters and hot summers.
terms remains strong, with the EU taken being far in Rather, a formidable hurdle might be homemade, and in
advance of any other market. Even the exclusion of the writing rather than on physical routes leading inward. Claas-
United Kingdom from this Mühlhäuser warns that
group following the 2016 “POLAND HAS ALREADY another area of German
Brexit vote has not cut in international renown,
ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS
deeply enough to bring the perhaps less laudable
level downward anywhere than its auto industry,
near the next takers, with could stand in the way—
Germany shipping 445 GERMANY’S FOURTH bureaucracy. Exports here,
billion euros of goods to EU she says, may be seen as a
2024, compared to a figure LARGEST EXPORT PARTNER circumvention of existing
countries in the first half of
export sanctions, thwarting
– FOR THE FIRST TIME
of just under 81 billion a trading relationship that
euros for its next-in-ranking could open doors not only to
recipient when so measured, fresh sources of energy, but
the US. Notably, the V4’s AHEAD OF CHINA.” as a source of agricultural
100 billion portion makes up products and market for
nearly a quarter of the total modernization technology.
EU amount—on its own
beating out purchases from the US and more than doubling Unchanging amid change
those from China. There are no foreseeable obstacles to this Even If traditional trade balances are in flux, German
steadily growing upward tendency. This rising purchasing business abroad remains vigorous. Changing scenery however
power and increasing demand makes it more attractive than indicates it may do well to examine not only where German
ever before for German retailers to review the opportunities products are being bought, but also just where German
offered by their nearer neighbours. export strength lies. Traditional industries remain strong, and
that persistent image of German automobiles as an export
The great trek farther East: Ukraine vs. Russia vs. front-runner should be not discarded. Year-end figures for
Kazakhstan 2023 show motor vehicles still atop export goods, bringing in
The sand has shifted under other trade relationships as well. roughly 270 billion euros. Machinery and equipment followed
In addition, and parallel to its NATO-aligned support of some 44 billion euros behind, with 226 billion in exports.
Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia, Germany has Chemicals/chemical products, computer/electronics/optical
strengthened its overall economic ties with Ukraine on products and basic pharmaceuticals, in descending order,
two fronts: both exports to and imports from the country round out the top five exports. Electrical equipment, basic
have risen, the former by 6.7 percent and the latter by metals, food products and rubber/plastic goods are other areas
approximately one fifth in the first half of 2024. This is of high-volume export, meaning a wide spectrum of industries
predictably in contrast with Russia’s current standing: exports may find it advisable to concentrate their upcoming sales
there fell by a whopping 25 percent (1.2 billion euros) in the efforts on possibly overlooked terrain—or, in the words of a
same period, with imports suffering an even greater decline of well-known ice hockey legend, re-worked here slightly for
58 percent. In actual currency, this left Russia with a figure of prudence, to skate to where trends strongly indicate the puck
a little over one billion euros in goods sold here in that period, is going, not to where it with all likelihood will not. With the
a downturn of roughly 1.5 billion euros. Russia continues to notable difference that both sides stand to win in this game. ••
sell fossil fuels to the EU, with this market being their second
largest in 2023, but China, India and Turkey, taking first, third
and fourth place respectively, are strong consolation for falling
amounts—and customers uncomplicated by an active stance
in defence of Ukraine.

The foregoing is pushing Kazakhstan into a more prominent
spot on Germany’s trade tally. Its abundant raw materials
beckon, with this opportunity to purchase being conveniently
partnered with prospects of pushing wares well needed in
the land-locked giant—the largest of the former Soviet
Union’s republics, with the exception of Russia itself. The

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