China has overtaken the United States as Germany’s top trading partner in 2025.
Total trade between Berlin and Beijing reached €251bn, according to official figures.
German imports from China were worth about €170.6bn.
Exports to China totalled €81.3bn, leaving a large trade gap.
Trade with the US fell to €240bn after a 5% decline, partly linked to tariffs.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit Beijing this week.
He is scheduled to meet Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Talks will cover trade, human rights and the war in Ukraine.
Germany’s car industry remains deeply tied to China.
Companies such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen depend heavily on Chinese sales and production.
The EU is trying to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains and manufacturing.
Berlin has taken a softer approach to tariffs to protect its automotive sector.
