Konjunktur: Maschinenbau rettet Halbjahr mit starken Exporten im Juni
US-Zölle, Konjunkturflaute in Deutschland und China-Konkurrenz setzen den Maschinenbau unter Druck. Doch im Juni wachsen die Exporte kräftig. Selbst ein Sorgenkind unter den Absatzmärkten erholt sich.
Strong June exports have given a boost to Germany's struggling machinery industry, limiting the first half-year losses. From January to June, machinery and equipment exports reached 99.3 billion euros, according to the industry association VDMA in Frankfurt. Despite a nominal decrease of 0.8% compared to the same period last year, exports after adjusting for prices showed a decline of 2.5%.
Geopolitical tensions, U.S. tariff policy and China's weak machinery business have strained machinery exports in the first half, said VDMA economic expert Anke Uhlig. An overall stable second quarter and a strong export increase of 6.8% in June, however, helped dampen the half-year decline. U.S. business is stabilizing, with exports rising 0.5% to nearly 13 billion euros in the first half, thanks to stabilization in the second quarter.
Exports to China dropped almost 14% in the first half to just over seven billion euros. The industry looks at the second half with mixed feelings: "The recent recovery in U.S. exports remains contingent on an uncertain tariff policy," said Uhlig. China's weak demand and growing competition pose challenges, while Chinese competitors are gaining ground in global markets.
"To broaden export markets, the industry needs further free trade agreements and a more robust European single market."
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
