EU exports to US surged over 20% ahead of tariffs

Total EU goods exports rose by 5.8% to €434.3bn in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year

The US alone accounted for nearly €100bn of EU exports between January and February. 

EU exports to the US increased by more than 20% during the first two months of the year ahead of the imposition of tariffs by president Donald Trump, new data from Eurostat shows.

However, despite this increase, the EU’s trade surplus with countries outside of the bloc dropped.

Between January and February this year, EU goods exports outside of the bloc rose by 5.8% to €434.3bn compared to the same period in 2024. Imports during the same period rose to €416.9bn — up 9.1%.

As a result, the EU recorded a surplus of €17.4bn, compared with €28.5bn last year.

In February, the chemicals sector saw a significant increase, with its balance trade rising from €17.3bn to €28.6bn. Meanwhile, sectors such as machinery and vehicles experienced a decrease of the balance, from €23.7bn to €19.4bn.

The US alone accounted for nearly €100bn of exports during those two months compared to just over €82.6bn in 2024. Exports to China decreased by 6.6% during the same time to €31.8bn.

Trade between EU member states remained steady at €671.8bn during January–February 2025, showing no significant change compared to the same period in 2024.