China has overtaken the United States as Germany’s top trading partner, with total trade reaching €251bn in 2025.
The figure rose slightly from the previous year, while trade with the US fell to €240bn.
Germany imported far more from China than it exported.
Imports were worth about €170.6bn, more than double the €81.3bn in exports.
The data comes as Chancellor Friedrich Merz prepares for his first official visit to Beijing.
He will meet Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang for talks on trade, Ukraine and human rights.
Tariffs introduced by European Union on Chinese electric vehicles have done little to slow imports.
German carmakers remain deeply tied to the Chinese market for production and sales.
Major companies, including BMW and Mercedes-Benz, rely heavily on Chinese demand.
Business leaders will accompany Merz to signal support for continued economic cooperation.
At the same time, the EU is trying to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals and technology.
Germany’s need to protect its car industry makes that strategy more complicated.
